Kozhikode: Forest Minister Benoy Viswom will inaugurate the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday.
The sanctuary is spread across 74 sq. km in three villages under Koyilandy taluk in Kozhikode district. It is the 16 {+t} {+h} wildlife sanctuary coming up in the State with a mission to protect the rare species of flora and fauna.
Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest S.P. Singh said the sanctuary headquartered at Peruvannamuzhi would be a centre of attraction for its rich biodiversity and natural resources.
“The zone consists of 680 types of plants, 39 grass varieties, 148 species of butterflies, 52 varieties of fishes, 38 types of amphibians and 32 types of reptiles. The presence of around 180 species of birds is a unique speciality of the sanctuary,” he said.According to officials, the rare varieties of butterflies include Papilo Liomedon, Papilo Paris, Papilo Dravidarum and Prioneris Sita.
The fish varieties include Barilius Bakeri, Tor Khudree, Mystus Vittatus and Puntus Denisonii.
Among the rarest amphibians, the frog variety Philatus Oschlandrae is seen only here, they said.
K.V. Subrahmaniyan, Conservator of Forest, said the department would release a special booklet titled ‘‘Richness and Reality'' on Saturday to highlight the specialities of the sanctuary. A special portal www.malabarsanctuary.org would be launched by Industries Minister Elamaram Karim on the occasion, he said.
The officials made it clear that tourists would be encouraged to visit the permitted areas inside the sanctuary without hampering the peaceful ambience there. The process of rehabilitating some of the families residing within the boundary of the sanctuary would be completed soon, they said.
Source: The Hindu 7-8-2010
No comments:
Post a Comment