Latest news with #Krithiga
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Trichy's Butterfly Park gets Rs 1 crore makeover after a decade
Trichy: The Butterfly Park near Srirangam, officially known as the Tropical Butterfly Conservatory , has undergone a major facelift after nearly a decade of neglect. The forest department has renovated the park at a cost of ₹1 crore, aiming to restore its visual appeal and revive tourist interest. "Infrastructure had been left unattended for over nine years. A proposal was made, and ₹1 crore was sanctioned. Renovation work began in Dec, 2024, and is now complete," said district forest officer (DFO) S Krithiga. First announced in 2012 and inaugurated in Novr 2015, the park spans 25 acres in the Upper Anaicut Reserve Forest near Melur. Built at an initial cost of ₹8 crore, it quickly became a key tourist attraction in Trichy, known for housing over a hundred butterfly species in its natural habitat. Over the years, however, the park fell into disrepair, worsened by the impact of Cyclone Gaja in 2018. Damaged infrastructure, faded facilities, and general wear and tear led to a drop in visitor enthusiasm. Recognising the need for restoration, the forest department began a comprehensive upgrade late last year. The entrance arch and damaged pavements have been refurbished, and interactive information boards have been installed to enhance the visitor experience. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Key features such as the amphitheatre, indoor conservatory, breeding lab, and restrooms have also been renovated. "We are introducing new host and nectar plants to support butterfly breeding. New play equipment has been added to the children's park, and additional recreational activities are being planned to attract more visitors," said Krithiga. The park includes attractions like Nakshatravanam, Raasi Vanam, Caterpillar Walk, an Eco Shop, and a resource garden—offering both educational and recreational experiences for families and tourists alike.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Renovated butterfly park has more to offer now
Trichy: Trichy's butterfly park near Srirangam, one of the most important tourist attractions in the city, has been renovated by the forest department at Rs1 crore after nearly ten years. Officially known as Tropical Butterfly Conservatory , the park had lost its visual appeal in recent years. "After its inauguration, the park lacked maintenance for over nine years. A proposal was made, and Rs1 crore allocated. We have repaired the damaged infrastructure, renovated the features and painted the entire park since December," district forest officer S Krithiga told TOI. The entrance arch has been renovated and modified, and the damaged pavements have been changed. Interactive information boards have been installed, and features like amphitheatre, indoor conservatory, breeding lab and restrooms renovated. "We are introducing new batches of host plants for breeding and nectar plants for food sources at the host plant area. New play items have been set up in the children's park. We are also adding new recreational activities to attract more visitors," Krithiga added. The Rs8 crore park was set up on 25 acres at Melur near Srirangam in the Upper Anaicut reserve forest area in Nov 2015. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The conservatory is considered a breeding habitat for more than a hundred species and several thousand butterflies, with features like nakshatravanam, breeding lab, resource garden and host plant area. The park also has attractions such as raasi vanam, amphitheatre, caterpillar walk, island, children's park, and eco shop for recreation. Some of the facilities at the conservatory suffered damaged during the Gaja Cyclone in 2018. With the 'wear and tear' putting off visitors, officials realised the need for renovation, rejuvenation and maintenance of the park last year. The work which commenced around December recently got over.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Hydrotherapy pool being created at Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre near Tiruchi
The Forest Department is establishing a hydrotherapy pool at the Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at M.R. Palayam near Tiruchi. Situated along Tiruchi-Chennai national highway, the centre now serves as a home for nine captive elephants that were translocated from various districts over the years after they were found to have been abused and neglected by their private owners. Run by the Forest Department, the centre takes care of the physical and psychological requirements of the captive pachyderms. Along with a host of other facilities, work on establishing a hydrotherapy pool within the nearly 20-hectare centre has begun and is expected to be completed soon. The pool is being created with funds provided by Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation under Corporate Social Responsibility, said District Forest Officer, Tiruchi, S. Krithiga. The pool can accommodate one elephant at a time. Water will be filled inside the nearly eight-foot deep pool from borewells that were sunk inside the centre to cater to the requirements of the pachyderms, mahouts, kavadis and forest personnel. 'The hydrotherapy pool is essentially meant for old and sick elephants with muscle weakness in their legs, Ms. Krithiga said, adding that a ramp would be put in place to enable the animals to enter and exit the structure. 'The facility is being set up to help the elephants with muscle weakness to soak their legs in clean and fresh water to reduce swelling and inflammation and relieve them of the pain', Ms. Krithiga said. This will be done as per the recommendation of the veterinarian. Some captive elephants were found with muscle weakness when they were translocated to the centre since they were made to stand on the concrete platform, leading to complications, Ms. Krithiga said. The department will also create an encirclement area within the centre soon where the elephants would be left to play on the green lawn. Every captive elephant is being taken care of by a mahout and a kavadi. The elephants are being taken for a walk in the morning and evening within the centre, which functions in a reserve forest area at M.R. Palayam. The total area of the M.R. Palayam reserve forest is around 265 acres. There is a diet chart being followed for the elephants whose health condition is being monitored by a veterinarian periodically. As per the advice of the veterinarian, a modified diet is being followed in view of the ongoing summer season. Foggers have been installed in the shelters to keep the animals in a cool environment. The animals are taken for water and mud baths inside the centre which is equipped with surveillance cameras.
