Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Gomati and Sepahijala districts of southern Tripura near the sub-divisional town of Belonia, is the state’s stronghold of the Indian gaur, the great forest ox that foresters here call bison. If you have seen the famous grassland parks of Assam and want something quieter, this mix of deciduous forest, bamboo and fenced grassland — home to gaur, four kinds of monkey and the gibbon — is where to point the car in southern Tripura.
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary is a 163.08 sq km protected forest in southern Tripura, notified in November 1988, best known for the Indian gaur (Indian bison). According to the Tripura Forest Department, it holds the 31.63 sq km Bison National Park, supports gaur, langurs and the hoolock gibbon, and is best visited from October to March.
Key takeaways
- Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary covers 163.08 sq km in the Gomati and Sepahijala districts of southern Tripura and was notified on 19 November 1988, according to the Tripura Forest Department; some other sources cite 194.7 sq km, so the figure is not settled.
- The sanctuary is Tripura’s main home of the Indian gaur (Bos gaurus), locally called bison; a state Forest Department census counted about 105 gaur in March 2020, rising to roughly 110 with new calves by 2021 (Wildlife Warden, via PTI).
- A 31.63 sq km Bison National Park, notified on 6 December 2007, lies within the sanctuary, with a fenced grassland grazing area and bamboo the gaur feed on.
- Four primates live here — the spectacled (Phayre’s) langur, capped langur, pig-tailed macaque and slow loris — along with the hoolock gibbon; all are shy, so a sighting is never guaranteed.
- Trishna is about 105 km from Agartala via Udaipur and 13 km from Belonia; the nearest airport is Agartala and the nearest railheads are Garjee and Belonia on the Agartala–Sabroom line (Forest Department figures).
- The sanctuary has a boat ghat, four watch towers, a walking trail, a bison safari and a butterfly park; visiting hours are 9 am–5 pm and it is closed on Tuesday (South Tripura district administration, as of October 2026).
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary at a glance
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary is a 163.08 sq km block of deciduous and semi-evergreen forest in southern Tripura, notified as a sanctuary on 19 November 1988. According to the Tripura Forest Department, the sanctuary falls in the Gomati and Sepahijala districts, with the sub-divisional town of Belonia (in South Tripura district) about 13 km away as the usual base. Older district-tourism and encyclopaedic listings place it in South Tripura and give the area as 194.7 sq km, so both the district label and the exact size vary by source.
The forest is drawn from the Rajbari reserve and runs through moist-deciduous and semi-evergreen stands with patches of savannah-type grassland and dense bamboo. The Forest Department lists major trees such as Dipterocarpus turbinatus (gurjan), Artocarpus chaplasha (chaplash), Gmelina arborea (gamari) and Bombax ceiba (the red silk-cotton). Perennial streams and water bodies thread the sanctuary, and a lake with a boat ghat sits at Joychandpur.
The headline attraction is the Indian gaur, and the state has carved out a 31.63 sq km Bison National Park within the sanctuary, notified on 6 December 2007, which foresters call the “Eden of Bison”. For the wider region and how Trishna fits a Tripura trip, see our Tripura travel guide.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | Wildlife sanctuary, notified 19 November 1988 (final notification under process) |
| Area | 163.08 sq km (Tripura Forest Department); 194.7 sq km in some other listings |
| Location | Gomati and Sepahijala districts, southern Tripura; 13 km from Belonia |
| Within it | Bison National Park, 31.63 sq km, notified 6 December 2007 |
| Forest type | Moist-deciduous to semi-evergreen, with grassland and bamboo |
| Flagship species | Indian gaur / Indian bison (Bos gaurus) |
| Best season | October to March |
| Nearest town / airport | Belonia (13 km); Agartala airport (about 105 km) |
The gaur: Trishna’s Indian bison
The gaur is the animal most visitors come to Trishna to see, and the sanctuary is Tripura’s main refuge for it. The Indian gaur (Bos gaurus), widely called bison in the Northeast, is the world’s largest wild cattle species and is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. A state Forest Department census counted about 105 gaur in the sanctuary in March 2020, and the Wildlife Warden told PTI in 2021 that five new calves had been seen with their mothers, lifting the herd to roughly 110. An earlier 2015 study estimated the population at 255, but with a wide margin of error.
The state has backed the gaur with habitat work rather than left it to chance. Within the Bison National Park, foresters have fenced and developed about 7 sq km of grazing grassland, and the Chief Wildlife Warden has credited a stronger anti-poaching force and border fencing along the India–Bangladesh line with helping numbers recover. A bamboo locally called “kaillai”, a favourite gaur food, grows thickly here, which the department says keeps the herd’s food supply steady.
Honest expectations matter. Gaur are large but wary, and they move through forest and grassland in small herds that are easiest to find early in the morning and late in the afternoon near the grazing clearings and water. A sighting is likely for a patient visitor who starts early with a guide, but it is never guaranteed, and you should treat any promise of a “sure” sighting with caution.
Primates, gibbons and other wildlife
Trishna supports four monkey species and the hoolock gibbon alongside its gaur. The Tripura Forest Department lists the spectacled langur, capped langur, pig-tailed macaque and slow loris among the sanctuary’s primates, with the hoolock gibbon — India’s only ape — among the major mammals. The spectacled langur, also called Phayre’s leaf monkey or “chasma bandar” (the spectacled monkey, for the white rings round its eyes), is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Be realistic about primates too. The State Wildlife Warden told PTI in 2021 that Tripura’s Phayre’s langur numbers were rising by about two percent, but the species’ recognised stronghold is Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, which the Central Zoo Authority designated a national breeding centre for the monkey; at Trishna the langur is present but not easily seen. The hoolock gibbon announces itself by call more often than by sight, so listen for it at dawn in the taller forest.
Beyond the primates, the Forest Department records clouded leopard, leopard cat, barking deer, wild boar, pangolin, four species of civet, crab-eating mongoose, flying squirrel and porcupine, along with many resident and migratory birds across the forest, grassland and water bodies. Tripura’s biodiversity portal puts the state’s bird list at 342 species, 58 of them migratory, which gives a sense of the birding on offer around the Trishna lake.
| Species / group | Where / notes | Chance of a sighting |
|---|---|---|
| Indian gaur (bison) | Grassland clearings and forest edges, early and late; the sanctuary’s flagship | Likely for the patient, not guaranteed |
| Spectacled (Phayre’s) langur | Forest canopy; Endangered; stronger at Sepahijala | Occasional |
| Capped langur, pig-tailed macaque | Forest patches; shy of people | Occasional |
| Hoolock gibbon | Taller forest; heard calling at dawn more than seen | Heard more than seen |
| Clouded leopard, leopard cat | Recorded residents; nocturnal and elusive | Very rare |
| Birds (resident and migratory) | Forest, grassland and the Joychandpur lake | Good for birders |
Best time to visit Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary
The best time to visit Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary is October to March, the cool, dry window after the monsoon when forest tracks are firm and the grazing grasslands draw gaur into the open. Tripura’s heavy monsoon runs roughly from June to September, when rain, humidity and leeches make the interior hard going, so the post-monsoon and winter months are far more comfortable for wildlife-watching and boating on the lake.
Winter mornings (November to February) are the pick for gaur and birds, with clear light and active herds near the clearings. October and March are warmer shoulder months that still work well. If you can only come in the monsoon, expect a green but wet forest, limited movement and the chance that trails and safaris are curtailed, so confirm conditions with the Wildlife Warden before you set out.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Post-monsoon / early winter | October–November | Forest drying out, lush growth, good access improving; pleasant |
| Winter | December–February | Cool, dry, best visibility; most comfortable for safari and birding |
| Spring / pre-summer | March–April | Warmer; still workable early; grasslands drier |
| Monsoon | June–September | Heavy rain, humidity, leeches; movement limited — avoid |
How to reach Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary is reached overland from Agartala or Belonia, in southern Tripura. The Tripura Forest Department gives the distance as about 105 km from Agartala via Udaipur, or about 115 km via Sonamura, and just 13 km from the sub-divisional town of Belonia, which makes Belonia the handiest base. Our Tripura travel guide covers getting into the state and moving around it.
By air: The nearest airport is Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport at Agartala, about 105 km away, which has regular flights to Kolkata, Guwahati and other cities. From the airport, hire a taxi or take a bus towards Udaipur and Belonia, then drive to the sanctuary gate.
By rail: The Agartala–Sabroom broad-gauge line runs down southern Tripura, with stations at Udaipur, Garjee and Belonia; Garjee and Belonia are the nearest railheads to the sanctuary. Check current trains and timings on the Indian Railways enquiry system close to your travel date, as services on this newer line change.
By road: The sanctuary is linked to Agartala by state highway. Shared vehicles and state buses run to Udaipur and Belonia, from where a hired taxi covers the last stretch to the forest entry. Roads are generally fair in the dry season but slow in the monsoon.
| From | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Belonia town / railhead | About 13 km | Nearest base; taxis available |
| Garjee railway station | Nearest railhead on the Agartala–Sabroom line | Continue by road |
| Udaipur (Gomati HQ) | On the Agartala route | Temple town; good mid-point stop |
| Agartala (airport / city) | About 105 km via Udaipur; 115 km via Sonamura | Main air and rail gateway |
Eco-park, safari, timings and permits
Entry to Trishna is through the Forest Department’s eco-tourism set-up, with visiting hours of 9 am to 5 pm and the sanctuary closed on Tuesday, according to the South Tripura district administration (as of October 2026). The department has developed eco-tourism zones at Joychandpur and Bardosh, a boat ghat on the Joychandpur lake, four watch towers, a walking trail, a bison safari and a butterfly park, so a visit mixes a forest drive, a boat ride and quiet watching from the towers.
No published, standard entry or safari tariff could be verified online for Trishna as of October 2026, so any figure a tour operator quotes should be treated as an indicative planning estimate and reconfirmed directly with the Wildlife Warden before you travel. The Forest Department lists the Wildlife Warden, Trishna, on telephone (03823) 267340 for arrangements and the current gate, safari and boating charges.
Trishna is an inland forest sanctuary in a general tourist area, so no Inner Line Permit applies to Indian or foreign visitors for Tripura or the sanctuary itself, unlike some other Northeast states. Carry a photo ID, arrange a forest guide and permitted vehicle at the gate, keep to daylight hours and follow the eco rules on plastic, noise and feeding wildlife.
A suggested two-day itinerary
Two days is enough to see Trishna well without rushing, because the forest rewards early starts near the grasslands rather than long drives. Keep the plan flexible and weather-dependent.
- Day 1: Drive from Agartala via Udaipur, breaking at the Tripura Sundari temple, and reach Belonia by afternoon. Settle in, then visit the sanctuary gate to confirm your guide, the next morning’s bison safari and boating, and watch the forest edge from a tower at dusk.
- Day 2: Start at first light for a morning bison safari and a slow walk or boat ride on the Joychandpur lake, watching the grassland clearings for gaur and the canopy for langurs and the gibbon. Break in the heat of the day, then take a short evening drive before heading back to Belonia or on to your next stop. With a spare day, add the Pilak archaeological site near Jolaibari.
Where to stay
Accommodation at the sanctuary itself is limited, so most visitors stay in Belonia, about 13 km away, or base themselves in Udaipur or Agartala. Belonia has simple hotels and lodges rather than resorts; Udaipur, the Gomati district headquarters, offers a few more options and sits on the route in; and Agartala has the widest choice, including government-run accommodation. Book ahead in the October-to-March season, as rooms in the smaller towns are few.
- Budget (indicative ₹800–₹2,000 per night, as of October 2026): basic hotels and lodges in Belonia and Udaipur; reconfirm current rates.
- Mid-range (indicative ₹2,000–₹4,500, as of October 2026): better town hotels in Udaipur and Agartala.
- Government / tourist lodges: Tripura Tourism runs yatri niwas and tourist lodges in Agartala, Udaipur and other towns; check the Tripura Tourism website for current bookings.
If the Forest Department has rooms or a rest house available at the eco-tourism zones, ask the Wildlife Warden directly, as availability and charges change.
Food to try
Food around Trishna is simple, home-style Tripuri and Bengali-influenced cooking rather than a restaurant scene, so carry water and snacks for the forest where there is nothing to buy. Rice is the base of most meals, served with fish, chicken or pork, lentils and seasonal greens.
Dishes worth trying in Belonia and Udaipur include mui borok (traditional Tripuri food built around berma, a fermented-fish flavouring), wahan mosdeng (a spiced pork salad-style dish), chakhwi (a bamboo-shoot and vegetable stew) and plenty of fresh river fish. Sweets and snacks follow the Bengali pattern common across Tripura. If you eat with a local family or a homestay, you will get the most authentic version.
What a Trishna trip costs
A no-frills two-day Trishna trip is inexpensive by national-park standards, mainly because there are no luxury lodges and distances within the area are short. The figures below are indicative planning estimates for one person, as of October 2026, and must be reconfirmed — the Forest Department’s gate, safari and boating charges in particular were not published online at the time of writing.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (1 night) | ₹800–₹2,500 | Budget to mid-range room in Belonia/Udaipur, per night, shared by two |
| Forest entry + guide + safari + boating | Reconfirm with Wildlife Warden | No standard online tariff verified; arrange at the gate |
| Local transport | ₹2,000–₹4,000 | Taxi from Agartala/Belonia and local runs, shared |
| Food (2 days) | ₹500–₹1,200 | Local meals and snacks |
| Buffer / incidentals | ₹500–₹1,000 | Tips, water, entry contingencies |
Add the long-distance travel to reach Tripura (flight or train to Agartala), which varies with how you come. Because the on-site charges are the biggest unknown, build in a margin and confirm them when you arrange your guide.
Practical tips and safety
Trishna is a rural forest sanctuary, so plan for thin infrastructure and carry what you need. Mobile network and data can be patchy inside the forest and weaker in the smaller villages, so download maps offline and tell someone your plan. Draw cash in Belonia, Udaipur or Agartala before heading out; UPI and card acceptance are reliable in the towns but not at the forest edge, and there are no ATMs at the gate.
- Health: the nearest hospitals are in Belonia and Udaipur, with larger facilities in Agartala; carry a basic kit, personal medicines and mosquito repellent. There is no altitude concern — this is low country.
- Wildlife safety: gaur are large and can charge if cornered, so keep your distance, stay in the vehicle or on the tower, keep quiet and never feed or crowd animals. Follow your guide’s lead near grazing herds.
- Solo women travellers: the towns are generally calm, but the forest is isolated; go with a registered guide and vehicle, travel in daylight and avoid solo forest entry.
- Packing: light cottons for the warm months and a layer for winter mornings; closed shoes, rain cover and leech socks in the wet season; binoculars help for the canopy and the lake birds. Carry neutral-coloured clothing for wildlife-watching.
- Eco rules: carry out all plastic, keep to permitted tracks, and do not play music or use flash near wildlife.
Nearby places
Trishna pairs naturally with the temples and ruins of southern Tripura, so you can build a wider loop from Agartala down through Gomati and South Tripura. The obvious cultural add-on is the Tripura Sundari (Tripureswari) temple at Matabari near Udaipur, one of the country’s revered Shakti shrines, which sits on the main route in. South of the sanctuary, the Pilak archaeological site near Jolaibari preserves Hindu and Buddhist sculpture more than a thousand years old. Our Tripura travel guide shows how these fit together.
| Place | Distance / location | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Belonia | About 13 km | Nearest town and base; food, lodges, railhead |
| Pilak archaeological site | Near Jolaibari, South Tripura (south of the sanctuary) | Thousand-year-old Hindu–Buddhist sculpture, protected by the ASI |
| Tripura Sundari temple, Matabari | Near Udaipur, Gomati district (on the route in) | Major Shakti temple; important pilgrimage stop |
| Mahamuni pagoda | South Tripura | Buddhist pagoda and monastery in the state’s south |
| Agartala | About 105 km | State capital; Ujjayanta Palace, museums, transport hub |
Frequently asked questions
What is Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary known for?
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary is best known as Tripura’s main stronghold of the Indian gaur, the great wild ox locally called bison. The 163.08 sq km sanctuary in southern Tripura holds a 31.63 sq km Bison National Park with fenced grassland, and also supports langurs, the hoolock gibbon and rich birdlife in deciduous forest and bamboo.
How do I reach Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary?
Reach Trishna overland from Agartala or Belonia in southern Tripura. The Forest Department gives it as about 105 km from Agartala via Udaipur and 13 km from Belonia. The nearest airport is Agartala (MBB), and the nearest railheads are Garjee and Belonia on the Agartala–Sabroom line. Take a taxi for the last stretch to the gate.
Will I see bison (gaur) at Trishna?
Your chances of seeing gaur at Trishna are good but not guaranteed. The sanctuary is Tripura’s main gaur refuge, with about 105 counted in a March 2020 census, and the animals gather near the fenced grassland early and late in the day. They are large and wary, so go at first light with a guide and keep your distance; no sighting can be promised.
What is the best time to visit Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary?
The best time to visit Trishna is October to March, the cool, dry season after the monsoon when tracks are firm and gaur come into the open grasslands. Winter mornings are best for wildlife and birds. Avoid the June-to-September monsoon, when heavy rain, humidity and leeches limit movement and may curtail safaris and boating.
Do I need a permit for Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary?
No Inner Line Permit is needed for Tripura or Trishna, so Indian and foreign visitors can enter freely subject to the sanctuary’s own rules. You arrange a forest guide and permitted vehicle at the gate, with visiting hours of 9 am to 5 pm and Tuesday closed. As of October 2026 no standard online tariff was verified, so reconfirm charges with the Wildlife Warden.
Which animals live in Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary?
Trishna protects the Indian gaur (bison), the spectacled (Phayre’s) langur, capped langur, pig-tailed macaque, slow loris and the hoolock gibbon, plus clouded leopard, leopard cat, barking deer, wild boar, pangolin, civets and many birds, according to the Tripura Forest Department. Most mammals are shy, so early-morning visits give the best chance of a sighting.
Last updated and sources
Trishna suits wildlife travellers who want gaur, forest and quiet over crowds and guaranteed big-cat photos, and anyone combining southern Tripura’s temples and ruins with a day in the forest. Go in the October-to-March dry season, start early, and keep expectations honest.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Tripura Forest Department, protected areas and Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary page (forest.tripura.gov.in); South Tripura district administration, Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary tourist page (southtripura.nic.in); Morung Express / PTI, “Indian Bison … herds increasing in Tripura’s Trishna sanctuary”, 16 July 2021 (morungexpress.com); EastMojo / PTI, “Chasma bandar population rising in Tripura”, 5 September 2021 (eastmojo.com); Mongabay India, “Perils of the Phayre’s leaf monkey”, February 2021 (india.mongabay.com); Tripura State Biodiversity Board fauna page (biodiversity.tripura.gov.in); Wikipedia, “Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary” and “Pilak, Tripura” (used to locate the primary sources above). Accessed October 2026.
