Urban eco park to come up at Pilikula Nisargadhama in Mangaluru

Distric In-Charge and Minister for Environment, Forest and Ecology B Ramanath Rai said environment conservation is the main priority and a good, pollution-free environment is the best gift for next generation. Urban eco park will be developed with this concept, he added. 

He was speaking after inaugurating the Urban Eco Park construction work at Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisargadhama on Friday. 

He said the Nisargadhama is being developed in various ways and one of them is the urban eco park which intends to create awareness on environment conservation, water harvesting and the related issues among people. 

The project will come up at an area of 10 acres and at a total  budget of Rs 17.6 crore. The project will be implemented in two years, he added. The work on the Aushadha Vana (herbarium) in Puttur is almost complete and it will be opened soon. 

The tree park in Tannirbavi has received a good response from public and around Rs 1 lakh of revenue has been generated so far. 

He said that the state is ranked second in the country in environment conservation. The Forest Department has taken steps to protect sandalwood trees in the forests, he added. The Vruksha Abhiyana will be tentatively held between July 2 and 10 in the state, Rai said.

He added that corporate companies will be requested to join hands with the government, under their CSR activities towards environment conservation.

Pollution Control Board District Officer Rajashekhar Puranik said the Urban Eco Park will include the model of eco-friendly houses, models of pollution control mechanism in industries, solar energy, waste management, children’s park,  herbarium, environment museum, information on climate change, climate monitoring unit and audio visual centre.