Saalumarada Thimmakka Tree Park to come at Karnangeri

The work on Saalumarada Thimmakka Tree Park at Karnangeri betta is in progress in Madikeri. The tree park will come up on a 45-acre land.

To promote tourism and to create an awareness about nature, the Forest department came up with the idea of developing the tree park at a cost of Rs 50 lakh.

The proposal to name the park after Saalumarada Thimmakka was initiated by former forest minister Ramanath Rai. It was proposed to set up a tree park in each Assembly constituency.

The tree park will have rare species of trees, in including teakwood, rosewood, honne, red sander, silver and bamboo trees. Medicinal plants such as “hebbevu,” tamarind, cotton, “bilvapathre,” “honge,” “tapasi” and “kamara” and others, said Madikeri DFO Manjunath.

The DFO said, “The work on the park is in progress. It was delayed due to rain. As an additional fund is required for the completion of the project, the issue has been brought to the notice of higher authorities.”

The entrance of the tree park is built using wood. There is a play area for children, separate toilets for men and women, drinking water facilities, seating arrangements, walking paths and five watchtowers. In addition, flower-bearing plants will also be planted.

Karnangeri resident Harshith said, “In the name of tourism, Mandalpatti has been polluted. Plastic bottles and liquor bottles greet tourists at Mandalpatti. The tourists spoil nature. There is all possibility of polluting the Karnangeri hilly range,” he felt.