AGARTALA, June 23 (TIWN): Tripura to have two elephant conservation reserves at Gandhari near Udaipur subdivision of South Tripura and at Atharomura hill ranges, between Teliamura and Ambassa subdivisions of West Tripura and Dhalai districts. The Tripura government is working on a comprehensive plan to establish the two jumbo reserves here in Tripura, said State Minister for Forest Naresh Jamatia recently to the reporters.Elephants, once an integral part of Tripura’s history, have dwindled in number along with the state’s once-rich forest cover. At present, the number is only 58 whereas a total of 2, 013 cubs were reported recentlky, according to State Chief Wildlife Warden Dr. A K Gupta.However talking to the reporters here at the civil secretariat Minister said, “We have recently send a proposal to the Union Ministry for setting up the reserves here in Tripura” adding to that he said, “Rs. 10 crore landscape approach was send this year to the central ministry.”The state government is opening two elephant conservation centres to save the animals from total extinction. Minister clarified that there is no demand of sanctuary but the Tripura Goverment is eyeing forwar5d to set up conservations.

According to the officials of the state forest department the government have got land for the conservation centres, as the indigenous people in both the areas have come forward to help in the conservation process. With the decline in forest cover, elephants have lost their natural habitat and sources of food and, hence, come down to paddy fields and human habitations, the official conceded.

The Centre has already notified Sipahijala wildlife sanctuary and Trishna wildlife sanctuaries as national sanctuaries for conservation of the spectacled monkey and wild bison respectively.

Earlier the state forest department had got a green signal to go ahead with the proposal of setting up the much awaited conservation project for elephants in the state. A three-member team have been constituted to look into the rehabilitation of 800 tribal families likely to be shifted to implement the project.

''The elephant conservation will get a new lease of life if the project is implemented,'' said official.

CWLW Dr. A K Gupta told reporters that currently the elephant track with the Chittagong has been stopped due to the border fencing. Adding to that Gupta said the proposal would be send to the union Ministry to take a necessary step in this regard.