Pics: Spoorthi Ullal 

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, May 20: Dr Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama will be hosting 'Pilikula Vasantotsava', a fruit extravaganza on Sunday May 24, opposite Pilikula Zoo at 10 am. This was revealed by Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim today at a press meet in DC office here.

Ibrahim said, “After the success of the 'Fish Carnival' (Mastyaotsava) we have decided to organize yet another festival at Pilikula to attract more people to Dr Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama. As of today 109 have registered for the event. Till date local fruits have been neglected and foreign fruits of New Zealand namely Kiwi is appreciated. Jackfruit is the biggest fruit and we are trying our best to save the organic fruits of the region. New ways of cultivating fruits are also being promoted. We are planning to organize festivals every month. The reason for organizing the 'Pilikula Vasantotsava' is to attract more children and parents so that kids can get familiarized with nature and fruits. All arrangements are made to provide useful and educative information to all the visitors. All are welcome and we wish it to be another successful festival."

Speaking on the occasion Chandrasekhar Chauta, governing member of Dr Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama said, " Jack fruit is the tropical fruit. Due to the continental drift a number of fruit trees have been scattered. Vietnam is the largest grower of jackfruit in the world. For the past few years serious efforts have been made by few groups to save the vanishing fruits of the region. We have plans to arrange 27 different jackfruits and the highlight of the event will be 'Jackfruit Biryani'. All are requested to come and make the event a success.

'Pilikula Vasantotsava' 2015 will include jackfruit, wild jackfruit, mangoe, wild jamun, kokum, saplings of kokum, sapota, guava, savayava vegetables, swavalambi santhe, seeds of vegetables, spot preparation of fruit delicacies, sale of saplings of sandal wood, teek wood etc by the forest department.

The event will be hosted by Kalkura Prathishtana Mangaluru, Savayava Balaga Mangaluru and the tourism department of Mangaluru.