In and around Mangalore city on the West coast of Karnataka there are many tourist attractions of interest to the people. One of the unique attractions is neither a colonial heritage site nor an old Gothic-style church.or a popular temple. It is a planned theme Biological park where a natural habitat is being scientifically nurtured to protect animals and plants. It is in the village of Mudushedde in Vamanjoor about 15 km from Mangaluru. The village is along the banks of Gurupura river and the theme park covers 375 acres of fine wooded terrain. It is a rare and odd scheme that gets support from the government particularly, at a time when in many states the animal habitats are shrinking fast due to threats from population explosion and encroachment of fringe areas of forests. This affects the corridors of wild animals in the wooded areas when they go insearch of water holes or food. There have been cases of wild elephants and cheetahs entering into the villages close to the forest areas in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, etc.
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Pilikula theme park, Mangalore KA Wikipedia commns.org
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| Pilikula theme park, Mangalore KA Wikipedia commns.org. |
Commenced in 1996, the purpose of Pilikula Nisarga Dhama program is to form a model tourism park emphasising protection of environment, heritage values and animal life. Pilikula Nisarga Dhama is a major Eco-Education and Tourism Development Project promoted by the district Administration of Dakshina Kanada based in Mangalore. The Pilikula lake (Tigers' lake), spread over 5 acres, was once the haunt of thirsty tigers which would come to this water hole to quench their thirst.Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park, spread over an area of 82 hectares is home to numerous wild animals, including lions and king cobras. They are being maintained in safe enclosures so that people could go round and watch them. An interesting fact is the cages are designed in such a manner that closely resemble their habitat. There is a separate section in the zoo that takes care of orphaned animals.
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| Pilikula theme park, Mangalore KA aroundmangalore.com |
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| Pilikula theme park, Mangalore KA indiatimes.com |
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| Pilikula theme park, Mangalore KA deccanherald.com |
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| Wolves, Pilikula theme park, Mangalore KA Wikipedia commns.org |
The Pilikula Biological Theme Park, a serene and bewitching place, is one of the major attractions of Pilikula Nisarga Dhama. A right place to loosen yourself and forget the mundane thing in life in the midst of clear lake and greenery. The ambiance is so good I've heard people say that the park gives them soothing and positive vibes. The park adopted many animals including wild animals.The Central Zoo Authority of India has recognized the park as a major zoo and according to them as per modern zoological practices, the animals are safely kept and watched in spacious safe enclosures closely resembling their natural habitat.
This place is worth a visit because it is educative for the students as well as for the adults. The arboretum close to the lake has a big 35-hectare botanical garden and the aim is toward conservation of biodiversity of this region. The garden boasts of being home to about 60,000 plants including 225 endemic and endangered plant species found primarily in the Western Ghats. Included also are vermicomposting units and medicinal plants from which Ayurveda medicines are made. Apart, there are a science centre, a heritage village, a water amusement park and a golf course.
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