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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