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`Jain Kashi' set to become eco-tourism spot

By Our Staff Correspondent

MOODBIDRI, JULY 31. This "Jain Kashi," which attracts Jain pilgrims from across the world, is all set to emerge as a major eco-tourism spot in Dakshina Kannada.

Second only to the Pilikula Nisargadhama at Moodushedde village near Mangalore, the "Kadala Kere" Nisargadhama will be inaugurated on Sunday. Kadala Kere, as the name suggests, was a vast lake. But now it has shrunk to a small tank. But thanks to the perseverance of a group of citizens headed by L.C. Soans of the Soans Farms fame, the glory of Kadala Kere has been revived. An island has also been created out of the silt dug out from the lake, which is naturally regenerating forest cover, and could turn into a bird sanctuary in the near future.

Heritage village

But that is just one of the attractions. The developers of this Nisargadhama have also created a heritage village named after Rani Abbakka, the first woman freedom fighter who lived during the 16th Century. The Gilda Peters Nature Path and a boat ride are other attractions for tourists visiting the place.

Spread over an area of 15 acres, Kadala Kere never went dry, recalls Mr. Soans. But a dam built at the tank diverted water for irrigation downstream, which left the lake dry, he says.

Over the years, the hills around the lake were denuded and converted into fields. Soil erosion during the monsoon resulted in silt accumulating in the lake and, during the past 25 years, the lake became parched and was even used as a playground by children, Mr. Soans says.

Funding

The project needs funding for offering other facilities for tourists and the Moodbidri MLA, K. Abhayachandra Jain, says that he has released Rs. 5 lakhs for the project.

Vinayakumar Sorake, former MP, says that he has given a matching grant. But that is not enough and efforts are on to pool in more resources, Mr. Abhayachandra says.

The project has recreational features and some other features such as a farmer education centre, a forest belt comprising endemic species, and other facilities. Most importantly, Dr. Soans points out that this part of the district needs some lung space as Moodbidri is rapidly growing. He hopes that Kadala Kere will become that lung space. The Union Minister for Programme Implementation and Statistics, Oscar Fernandes, will inaugurate the project on Sunday.

With people such as Dr. Soans and Mohan Alva, a noted horticulturist, supporting the Kadala Kere project, there is no doubt that it is bound to succeed, Mr. Abhayachandra says.

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