MRPL to develop biodiversity park.

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL) has signed an MoU with Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisarga Dhama, Pilikula, Mangaluru, for the development of a biodiversity park.

The MoU is valid for five years.

The total value of the project, on a 41-acre marshy area located at the southern most part of MRPL’s greenbelt, is approximately Rs. 12 crore.

The proposed development will be achieved through an ex situ conservation process wherein plants from different locations of the Western Ghats and coastal Karnataka will be grown at the park.

A press release from MRPL said the increased density and variety of plants will attract different animals and birds, thus augmenting the biodiversity of the region.

Since the living organisms need to get used to their new habitat, it is estimated that the land will develop into a full-fledged biodiversity park in about five years.

The park is also intended to sensitise people and industries about the biodiversity and adopting ex situ conservation methods, the release added.

HBL