Unique tree park at Udupi aims to increase green cover

UDUPI: A unique tree park was opened at Badagabettu reserve forest, near TAPMI on Monday, by the forest department.
Udupi range forest officer said the tree park aims at increasing the green cover in urban areas, especially at Manipal.
This is a first-of-its-kind park at Udupi. The project, initially started with Rs 25 lakh. is spread over 5.5 acres of land.It includes a walking track, garden and a children park too.
For this project, land from the reserve forest is being used, which stretches away from the town limit. The project's estimated cost is Rs.1.30 crore and was supposed to complete within a year.
Another project called 'Chandanavana' will also be started soon. It will be set up at a place where enough sandalwood trees are present.
It aims to protect sandalwood trees by fencing it and appointing a guard to protect it.
At Udupi, this project will be set up at Vanse, at Kundapur. This project will be in 32 hector land (75 archers). A compound wall and iron fencing will be put up at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore. There will also be a watch tower constructed soon. Both the projects will be set up at DK and in Udupi. It aims to preserve the tree for future generation.
Forests and Environment minister B Ramanath Rai, after inaugurating the park, said ,"It is one of the best ways to protect nature and forest. We should give more importance to prevent the existing trees. However, maintaining sapling is also equally important, hence, the forest department is working effectively under various projects and most famous is 'kotti vruksha andolan'.
The department is giving more priority to nursing plants. I have instructed the GP members that under the Mahatma Gandhi Udyoga Khatri scheme, people should be motivated to start small nurseries, worth Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000.
Under CSR fund. industries will be motivated to plant saplings at reserve forest. Though the land belongs to government, they can contribute to the nature. Like in Bengaluru, 12 lakes have been adopted by big companies. Industries here should emulate such gesture,"he added.