Urban nature reserve and people’s biodiversity park mooted in Kochi
The Hindu
Nearly 119 hectares available in form of islands between Marine Drive and Vaduthala to be developed into ecological conservation zone
A proposal for creating a larger buffer area for the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary to restrict fresh construction activities in the region and promote free movement of birds has been mooted.
The proposal forms part of the Mangalavanam eco-restoration project and the development of an urban nature reserve component of the Marine Drive extension programme. A People’s Biodiversity Park will also come up as part of the green component of the development project, according to the proposal.
The project mooted by the Kerala Government seeks to develop the nearly 119 hectares available in the form of islands in between the landmass from Marine Drive to Vaduthala into an ecological conservation zone. The zone will also be developed into a mangrove forest area through afforestation. Ecotourism spots will also come up as part of the programme, says the project document.
Chennai has two categories of Black kites: a larger group heading to the city from the western parts of India during the south west monsoon and heading back when the monsoon is past; and another group, smaller and resident, which would make minor movements in and around Chennai looking for an optimal atmosphere for nesting and raising the young. A couple of pylons in Perumbakkam suggest that Black kites have found an ideal nesting space there
This is part of the Karnataka Namakarana Suvarna Mahotsava celebrations organised to mark the naming of the State as ‘Karnataka’ during the tenure of the late D. Devaraj Urs. The statue, sculpted at an approximate cost of ₹21.24 crore, is 41-foot-tall including the pedestal and weighs around 31.5 tonnes.