ITANAGAR, Nov 1: State’s Health & Family Welfare Minister Biyuram Wahge inaugurated a Butterfly Park at the Pakke Tiger Reserve in Pakke Kessang district on Friday.
Located at the West Bank Forest Camp, this new park aims to enhance biodiversity conservation efforts and encourage eco-tourism in the area.
During the event, Wahge also launched the new Pakke Tiger Reserve website, offering accessible information on conservation, tourism, and biodiversity.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted the importance of community engagement in conservation and the need for eco-tourism practices that honour local traditions and the natural environment. He commended Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) as a model sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, blending conservation with community involvement.
He also extended support to the local community by distributing financial assistance to homestay owners in Seijosa, promoting eco-tourism and local economic growth, and provided Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) mitigation kits to affected families, underscoring PTR’s ongoing commitment to fostering positive coexistence between the community and wildlife.
Following the inauguration of Butterfly Park, Wahge toured the Butterfly Information Centre, which features educational exhibits on the local butterfly species and their ecological roles. The centre also includes a Digital Interactive Panel and Virtual Reality experience, providing visitors with an engaging and informative journey into the world of butterflies.
The Minister also launched an ‘elephant positive reinforcement training program’ for mahouts and an “Elephant Song,” reflecting PTR’s dedication to humane wildlife management practices. Brochures on “Butterflies of PTR” and the “Soming Narming Cultural Group” were also released, enriching visitors’ knowledge of the region’s diverse wildlife and cultural heritage.