Rai Inaugurates Interpretation Centre and Mini Eiffel Tower at Pilikula

Mangaluru: The inauguration of the ‘Interpretation Centre’ sponsored by M/s Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd at Pilikula Biological Park and ‘Mini Eiffel Tower’ at the Lake Garden was held on July 27.

Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, and district minister in-charge Ramanath Rai inaugurated the newly constructed Interpretation Centre and Mini Eiffel Tower by unveiling the plaques.

Addressing the mediapersons, Executive director of Pilikula Nisargadhama Jayaprakash Bhandary said that the Interpretation Centre has constructed at a cost of Rs 28 lakh under the CSR funds of M/s Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. The centre will be utilized for holding workshops for students and teachers on various topics such as water harvesting, environment, and other topics. “We had a lack of space to carry out workshops for students. This centre will serve the purpose,” said Bhandary, urging the minister to provide funds for its maintenance every year.

He further said that the 50 ft mini Eiffel Tower costs around Rs 5 lakh and the amount is being collected from donors. “We have already received some funds from the donors and their names will be carved on a plaque. Every year, we will construct various structures such as the India Gate, Qutub Minar and other monuments. The India Gate will be ready by next month. We are trying to attract tourists to Pilikula using these structures,” he added.

Bhandary also said that deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim has shown special interest in developing the park. A pair of giraffe, zebra, chimpanzees will be brought to Pilikula from Africa at a cost of Rs 1.75 crore. There are 280 zoos in the country of which 198 have been recognized and divided into three categories as large, medium and mini zoos. Pilikula is one among the 14 largest zoos in the country. The Eco park is also in progress at a cost of Rs 18 crore.

“We are also planning to have a rainwater harvesting centre in the park on a big scale. During the summer, people talk about water harvesting but when there is rain, people seem to forget about it. We are planning to harvest rainwater and also make models of rainwater harvesting systems in a 1-acre land for the public to view and understand the concept. Earlier, there was a small pond in the area which we had desilted and artificially dug to make a lake. Now, we have 30 ft water in the lake and 20 ft during summer, which is a success story. We have 4 borewells which will be recharged through the rainwater harvesting system. The project has been sanctioned and soon we will start the work,” said Bhandary.

Chief Whip of Karnataka Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza, Chief Manager of HPCL Rakesh Agarwal and others were also present.