Bairadi Kere lake to be developed to attract tourists

The government will release Rs 25 lakh from the Tourism department for the rejuvenation of the lake

Minister for Tourism, Ecology and Environment C P Yogeeshwar said the government is committed to the integrated development of tourism in Mangaluru, and that there are ample opportunities to promote tourism here as it is connected via sea, railway and airway.

Speaking after laying foundations for development works at Bairadi Kere in Mangaluru, which is being developed by Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and Green Tigers in Mangaluru, he said an action plan will be prepared to tap tourism potentials in Dakshina Kannada in the coming days.

The minister announced Rs 25 lakh from the Tourism department for the rejuvenation of the lake. "There is a need to safeguard culture of the land while promoting tourism in the region. The existence of a lake brings in life to the surrounding areas," he said.

Rejuvenation work

MLA D Vedavyasa Kamath said the rejuvenation work of 12 lakes is in progress in Mangaluru. In the next two-and-a-half years, MUDA will develop 30 lakes in Mangaluru. There is a need to develop ‘kudru’ (islands) in Mangaluru, he said. About 150-acre land in Bengre needs to be developed for tourism. The tourism minister will discuss developing ‘kudrus’ in Mangaluru with the deputy commissioner as well. The MUDA, in association with Green Tigers, will initiate the planting of fruit-bearing saplings around the lake.

Bairadi Kere is a lake in the city spread across 1.29 acres with a surrounding area of 1.2 acres. The proposal is for developing the park in a pond-park concept and make it a recreation space citizens of all age groups.

Children’s play area and a walking track will be developed in the area. The works will be completed in the next four to five months, sources said. The works to be taken up in Bairadi Kere comprise desilting (Rs 7,93,496), construction of boulder apron (Rs 3,01,598), granite size stone masonry wall (Rs 45,41,146), interlock pavement (Rs 7,65,875), compound wall, drain and steel railing. (Rs 21,56,841).