History
Pilikula…The name itself briefs the meaning of it. There is a saying that long ago Tigers were approaching a pond at this place later on called as Pilikula. Pili means ‘Tiger’ and Kula means ‘Pond’. Pilikula Nisargadhama was the brain child of the former Deputy Commissioner of DK district Mr Bharat Lal Meena, IAS a farsighted visionary in his works and an able administrator who initiated this project to flourish in Mangaluru. His main intention was to conserve bio-diversity, heritage and culture of Coastal Karnataka. Mr Bharat Lal Meena was accompanied by Mr John Richard Lobo KAS, known as J R Lobo an eminent Karnataka State Administrative service Officer who took charge as the founder Executive Director and worked for 18 years at Pilikula Nisargadhama. He served for this project as the heart and soul with keeping close relation with all the Governmental Departments, Minister’s, Corporate Heads and also with founder Chairman of this great project to develop new units.
Afterwords Pilikula Nisargadhama renamed as Dr Shivaram Karantha Pilikula Nisargadhama as per the orders of High Court & Government of Karnataka. Now the existing Dr.SKPND and PRSC has been dissolved and the Pilikula Development Authority Act, 2018 (Karnataka Act No.09 of 2018) has been established by State Government vide notification No. SAMVYASHAE 08 SHASANA 2018, BANGALURU, DATED 09.03.2018 and it shall came into force w.e.f. 24.12.2019
The Department of Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka shall be the nodal Department for the Authority on behalf of Government to exercise supervision, control and to issue directions to the Authority.
Mangaluru, a chief port city, lies between the Arabian Sea and the western Ghat ranges and is both a center of economic and learning activities. A number of general and professional educational institutions have increased the floating population by many folds in the recent years. Mangaluru is one of the natural ports through which economic activities are being carried out from ancient times. Besides, Mangaluru is a place of tourist attraction owing to umpteen numbers of religious centers, scenic beaches, rivers and waterfalls, mountains fit for trekking, ancient monuments from pre-independence era, educational institutions and hospitals.
Pilikula Nisargadhama project commenced in 1996, with a view of protecting the environment, heritage and improving tourism. It was an effort to develop this natural habitat spread across 370 acres into a tourist hot spot. The serene natural environment here has always been a tourist attraction.
Pilikula Nisarga Dhama is a major eco-education and tourism development project promoted by the District Administration of Dakshina Kannada in the beautiful city of Mangaluru in Karnataka State, India.
An integrated theme park with a wide variety of features, Pilikula has many attractions of cultural, educational and scientific interest. The park spread over an area of 370 acres comprises of a tropical forest and the enchanting Pilikula Lake. The project presently includes Biological Park, Arboretum, Science Centre, Lake Park, Swami Vivekananda Taralaya, Heritage Village with Boating Centre, Water Amusement Park and a Golf Course. Other features which are currently being developed include a an Ayurveda Health Therapy Centre and Tourist Cottages.
This is the first project of its kind in India, Pilikula Nisargadhama, is inspired by the concept of providing a wholesome experience of the native natural and cultural heritage of the region along with all modern recreational facilities.
Being located close to Western Ghats mountain range, which is one of the 18 globally recognised bio-diversity hot spots, many of the features of Pilikula are an attempt to conserve the unique wildlife and plant species of this region and help save them from extinction. Pilikula is also an attempt to showcase the rich native heritage and coastal culture of the people of Dakshina Kannada district. In short, Pilikula is one-stop educational and recreational destination in India - a must visit place for all visitors to this part of the world.
Governing Council Chairman’s of Pilikula Nisargadhama and Deputy Commissioner’s of DK district
Sl No |
Name |
Duration |
1 |
Sri Bharat Lal Meena, IAS |
30-04-1994 to 08-07-1996 |
2 |
Sri B H Anil Kumar, IAS |
08-07-1996 to 15-07-1998 |
3 |
Dr. E V Raman Reddy, IAS |
15-07-1998 to 28-12-1999 |
4 |
Sri Kapil Mohan, IAS |
17-01-2000 to 31-05-2001 |
5 |
Sri A K Monnappa, IAS |
31-05-2001 to 03-02-2003 |
6 |
Sri Aravind Srivatsav, IAS |
10-02-2003 to 24-06-2005 |
7 |
Dr. H V Parshwanath, IAS |
24-06-2005 to 26-06-2006 |
8 |
Sri M Maheshwara Rao, IAS |
26-06-2006 to 05-01-2009 |
8 |
Sri V Ponnuraj, IAS |
05-01-2009 to 23-10-2010 |
9 |
Sri Subodh Yadav, IAS |
23-10-2010 to 16-05-2011 |
10 |
Dr. N S Channappa Gowda, IAS |
16-05-2011 to 03-12-2012 |
11 |
Sri N Prakash, IAS |
03-12-2012 to 13-12-2013 |
12 |
Sri A.B.Ibrahim, I.A.S. |
13-12-2013 to 30.07.2016 |
13 |
Dr. K.G Jagadeesha I.A.S |
10-8-2016 to 12-10-2017 |
14 |
Sri Sashikanth Senthil S. |
19-10-2017 to 06-09-2019 |
15 |
Smt. Sindhu B. Rupesh, I.A.S. |
07-09-2019 to 29-07-2020 |
16 |
Dr. Rajendra., K.V. I.A.S |
30-07-2020 to 01-11-2022 |
17 |
Sri. Ravikumar M.R., I.A.S |
02-11-2022 to |
Administrative Committee Chairman’s of Pilikula Nisargadhama
Sl No |
Name |
Duration |
1 |
Sri J R Lobo, KAS |
17-04-2012 to 07-08-2012 |
2 |
Dr. K Harish Kumar, KAS |
10-08-2012 to 22 - 07 - 2013 |
3 |
Sri Ajithkumar Hegde Shanady, KSAS |
23 - 07 - 2013 to 21.02.2014 |
4 |
Sri Gokul Das Nayak (Incharge) |
21-02-2014 to 09-03-2014 |
5 |
Sri Ajithkumar Hegde Shanady, KSAS |
10.03.2014 to 15.07.2014 |
6 |
Sri . Prasanna KAS |
17-07-2014 To 18-07-2014 |
7 |
Sri Gokul Das Nayak (Incharge) |
18-07-2014 to 31-12-2014 |
8 |
Hephsiba Rani Korlapati |
01.01.2015 to 15.06.2015 |
9 |
Sri Gokul Das Nayak (Incharge) |
15.06.2015 to 04.09.2015. |
10 |
Dr . H. N Gopalakrishna K.A.S |
04.09.2015 to 13.07.2016 |
11 |
Mohammad Nazeer |
13.07.2016 to |
12 |
Sri. Ajith Kumar Hegde S. |
Present |
Executive Directors
Sl No |
Name |
Duration |
1 |
Sri J R Lobo, KAS |
15-10-1994 to 07-08-2012 |
2 |
Sri Ajithkumar Hegde Shanady, KSAS |
10-08-2012 to 14-02-2013 |
3 |
Sri U T Alva, IFS |
14-02-2013 to 27 - 08 - 2013 |
4 |
Sri S. Krishna Murthy, KAS |
27 - 08 – 2013 to -28.02.2015 |
5 |
Sri S.A.Prabhakara Sharma, K.A.S. (R) |
10.03.2014 to 30.06.2016 |
6 |
Sri. H. Jayaprakash Bhandary |
30.6.2016 to 16.11.2016 |
7 |
Smt. Gayathri N. Nayak K.A.S |
16-11-2016 to 4-1-2017 |
8 |
Sri Prasanna V. KAS |
11-1-2017 to 29-3-2019 |
9 |
Smt. Meghana R. K.A.S |
29-3-2019 to 8-10-2020 |
10 |
Mr. Gokuldas Nayak |
9-10-2020 to 31-03-2021 |
Commissioner
Sl No |
Name |
Duration |
1 |
Mr. Venkatesh G. |
01.04.2021 to 09-09-2022 |
2 |
Abhishek V. K. A. S |
09-09-2022 to Present |
