To mark the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Devaraj Urs, a bamboo grove in his memory named 'Sri D Devaraj Urs Bidiruvana' will be established and developed, spread across 150 acres of forest land, near Nallurupala in HD Hote, which falls under the Sollepura Reserved Forest.
More than 50 varieties of bamboo, some of them classified as extinct, will be collected not only from other States but also from outside the country and will be planted at the Bidiruvana, the place chosen is considered to have ideal climate and soil conditions for the growth of bamboo.
About 20 acres of land will be used for rising bamboo of different species. Popular varieties of grafted species which has been proven to give high yields will be promoted in large. With the help of officials of other government departments, farmers will be promoted to switchover from growing traditional tobacco to Bamboo forestry under community farming, along with integrated approach to forestry.
Old buildings in the area will be renovated and converted into demo centers to conduct training for Medars, a tribe who for centuries have been involved in bamboo works and other bamboo artisans. They will be provided with suitable training to develop skills to enhance their income by selling bamboo.
The project also aims to educate primitive tribals in the region by providing a marketing facility for the sale of medicinal plants, honey and other forest produces and also motivate them to grow other medicinal plants not found in the region. All this initiative is a way to pay tribute to visionary late, D Devaraj Urs.
Under the theme 'Interpretation Park', an an education center similar to Diorona model, orchidarium, establishment of research center on climate change, farm forestry, horticulture cum forestry, wild life research has also been planned.
Deputy Conservator of Forest Balachandra said that 'Biduruvana' which is first of its kind in the state, will be developed on the lines of Bamboo Museum in Thrissur, Kerala. 'Very soon bamboo saplings will be planted under Tree Park Scheme. Along with 150 acres of Bidiruvana, the overall development of Kalahalla Village will be taken up, and the village will soon become model for other states,' he added.
Nagarahole Chief Conservator of Forest said that though there are more than 150 varieties of bamboo at least 50 selected varieties can be grown in the Bidiruvana. This will immensely benefit both the bamboo researcher and students of botany.
Major tourist attraction
The place will be developed as one of the major tourist spot.
With Gurupura Tibetan Camp being located closer to the place, and government plans to develop the Kalahalla Village which connects the Virajpet-Madikeri Road expecting more tourists to visit in the coming days.
Visitors will be informed about importance of forest environment, change in environment. They will be give information about the other forests and tourists places. People can relax, have a good time and will definetly become a must place visit in days to come, say forest officials. The tribes, farmers will be provided a platform to sell and market their produce.
Land row: This 150 acres of land was given on lease for central tobacco institute for the purpose of tobacco research. The land is not being used from last six years. A final showcase notice has been sent to the Institute to return the land, and the forest department to get the land by April. Soon, they get land the Biduruvana works will commense.
Highlights
* Bidiruvana to become one of the major tourist attraction.
* More than 50 rare species of bamboo will be raised
* Bidiruvana will encourage farmers to give up tobacco cultivation
* To motivate farmers about Agriculture Forest and provide skill development training to enhance their income.
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