PILIKULA BIOLOGICAL PARK, MANGALORE, KARNATAKA, INDIA

Pilikula Nisarga Dhama (Pilikula) is a major eco-education and tourism development project promoted by the District Administration of Dakshina Kannada in the beautiful city of Mangalore in Karnataka State, India.An integrated theme park with a wide variety of features, Pilikula has many attractions of cultural, educational and scientific interest. The park is spread over an area of 370 acres comprising of a tropical forest and the enchanting Pilikula Lake. The project presently includes a Biological Park, Arboretum, a Science Centre, a Lake Parkwith Boating Centre, a Water Amusement Park and a Golf Course. Other features which are currently being developed include a Heritage Village, an Ayurveda Health Therapy Centre and Tourist Cottages.Pilikula Biological Park is aesthetically one of the best designed premises in the country meeting all modern international standards of Zoo management. The park serves as a good educational center for students of all ages in enriching their knowledge on conservation of wildlife.Pilikula Zoo houses about 900 animals of 92 species of mammals, reptiles and birds.Pilikula has the credit of breeding some of endangered species of mammals, reptiles and birds of Western Ghats region. It is the only zoo to breed King Cobra in captivity.The park area is covered with thick vegetation, which serves as a natural habitat for wild animals. Number of free ranging mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects are found in the zoo premises. It also serves as a nesting ground for birds (more than 70 species recorded)Being located close to Western Ghats mountain range, which is one of the 18 globally recognised bio-diversity hot spots, many of the features of Pilikula are an attempt to conserve the unique wildlife and plant species of this region and help save them from extinction. Pilikula is also an attempt to showcase the rich native heritage and coastal culture of the people of Dakshina Kannada district. In short, Pilikula is one-stop education and recreation destination in India - a must visit place for all visitors to this part of the world.The word ‘Pilikula’ is adopted from the local name of the place. It is derived from the native Tulu dialect and literally means ‘Tiger Pond’. According to legend, in the past this area was filled with dense forests and the Pilikula lake served as a watering hole, frequently used by tigers

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BEKAL FORT, KASARAGOD, KERELA, INDIA

'Bekal Fort' (Malayalam: ബേക്കല്‍ കോട്ട), is the largest fort in Kasargod, Kerala, India, spreading over 40 acres (160,000 m²). Some important features of this fort are the water-tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad steps leading to the Observation Tower, which is a rarity. From there one has an ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikare, Bekal, Kottikkulam, Uduma etc. The nearest railway stations are Pallikare, Kotikulam, Kanhangad,and Kasargod. This observation center had strategic significance in discovering even the smallest movements of the enemy and ensuring the safety of the Fort.

The Fort appears to have been built up from the sea since almost three fourths of its exterior is drenched and the waves continually stroke the citadel. The Mukhyaprana Temple of Hanuman and the ancient Muslim mosque nearby bear testimony to the age-old religious harmony that prevailed in the area. The zigzag entrance and the trenches around the fort show the defense strategy inherent in the fort.

Unlike most other Indian forts, Bekal Fort was not a center of administration, for no remains of any palace, mansion or such buildings are found within the fort. Arguably the fort was built especially for fulfilling defense requirements. The holes on the outer walls of the fort are specially designed to defend the fort effectively. The holes at top were meant for aiming at the farthest points; the holes below for striking when the enemy was nearer and the holes underneath facilitated attacking when the enemy was very near to the fort. This is remarkable evidence of technology in defense strategy.