Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary

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Sipahijola Wild Life Sanctuary is a place of interest and a tourist spot in Tripura [1]. It covers a vast area of about 18.53 sq. km. It is a charming woodland which has come up over the years as a solace to the tired soul with artificial lake and natural botanical and zoological gardens. It gives shelter to about 150 species of birds and the unique bespectacled monkey (Phayer's langur).

The rarest of the rare of this species among animals found largely in Tripura, now faces extinction due to unbridled encroachment by humans into their natural habitat. For conservation, this bespetacled monkey has been placed under Wild Life Protection Act. 1972/1991.

[edit] Phayer's Langur

The bespectacled primates derived their name as they look like wearing spectacles due to white patches of ring around their nose. According to reserchers, the phayer's langurs, are found only in this state and some parts of neighbouring Assam and Mizoram. The white patch frame around the eye of females are of 'old fashioned' triangular or cone shaped, the ocular markings in the males are elliptical. They dwell on the top the trees and collect water from rain-drenched leaves or dew deposited on leaves to quench their thirst and never come down to the ground. The groups of Phayer langurs, each having their own home range, seem to be very male dopminated family. Usually, a male adult and 3 to 6 adult females form a group besides having sub adults, juveniles and infants and prefer to hang on trees. Mother monkey gives birth to her golden brown baby between November and March and she devotes most of her time in rearing.The father prefers to either jumping or yawning away his day on tree top.

[edit] Absarika

In the midst of the sanctuary, a forest dak bungalow called Abasarika offers accommodation and there is also a botanical garden, zoo, lake and boating facilities nearby. The picturesque landscape with the undulated setting of deep green plants and the murmuring of transparent lake water in between and the rare species of wild lives has an enchanting appeal to the travelers.

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