Realising that acacia plants in Pilikula planted more than three decades ago are not environmental friendly, the administration of Dr. Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama has begun replacing them with other plants of the Western Ghats species on a large scale. Those plants had been planted by the Forest Department during the 1980s in the laterite area in Pilikula. The same area came under the nisargadhama when it was founded in 1996 covering 370 acres. They have been regenerating in the park since then.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme to launch the second phase of a greenery project sponsored by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) at here on Sunday, H. Jayaprakash Bhandary, Director, Pilikula Biological Park, said that dry leaves of acacia are slow in rotting. They are not helpful in forming humus. The dry leaves on the ground did not help in rainwater percolation as they acted like plastic.
Mr. Bhandary, who is a former Deputy Conservator of Forests, said that acacia plantations did not allow regeneration of other plants. They only provide shade. Hence, the nisargadhama was now slowly phasing out the plants.
Mr. Bhandary said that MRPL would provide ₹ 40 lakh for the second stage of the greenery project. It would be used for planting about 7,000 plants of different Western Ghats species on 30 acres of land. All acacia trees in that area would be cut. In addition, medicinal, aquatic and animal fodder would be grown.
He said that the company had provided ₹ 30 lakh for the first phase of the greenery project on 20 acres of land. Using the funds, 2,000 plants of 50 varieties of Western Ghats species, 1,000 medicinal plants of 50 varieties, 100 aquatic plants of several varieties and animal fodder (grass) have been cultivated. Animal fodder is required for about 300 herbivores in the park. The grass has been cultivated in 60 rows. It can be harvested every 40 days. Among the plants cultivated included host and nectar plants for butterflies.
Mr. Bhandary said that the nisargadhama and Mangalore University have jointly planted about 10,000 plants of Western Ghats species on 80 acres of land under Arboretum project. The acacia plants that existed in the same area have been cut.
An MRPL official said that the company has funded the project as compensatory afforestation. Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology B. Ramanath Rai launched the first phase of the project on the occasion.