Pilikula Nisargadhama Development Authority likely to come into effect from April 1

Mangaluru: The Pilikula Development Authority with the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada as its chairperson will come into effect from April 1, informed Executive director of Pilikula Nisargadhama, Gokuldas Nayak.

Speaking during the study tour for journalists to Pilikula Biological Park on Friday, March 19 organized by Dakshina Kannada Working Journalist Union he said, “The authority has been constituted under the Pilikula Development Authority Act, 2018. It is a total of 23-member body. There will be a commissioner to manage the day-to-day affairs of the authority who will be the ex-officio member secretary of the authority.”

“There will be 17 ex-officio members. The MLAs of Mangaluru City South, Mangaluru City North and Moodbidri, the president of Moodushedde Gram Panchayat, and the captain of Pilikula Golf Course are its members,” he added.

He further added, “In addition, the government will have to nominate three members who are experts in the field of culture, wildlife, plant life, science, technology, heritage, fisheries, and tourism.”

“Due to pandemic, visitors to the Pilikula Biological Park have come down drastically by 50%. During weekends over 2,000 visitors come to the park, while on other days there are around 500 to 600 visitors. The revenue has dropped by Rs 2 crore amid the pandemic. Once the authority comes into force, there are some existing projects which need to be developed and there are few projects to be completed,” Gokuldas Nayak added.