Located in the Dakshina Kannada district, on Karnataka’s west coast, Moodabidri is famous for a variety of reasons. It is called Jain Kashi for its already famous Jain Basadis and is a renowned education centre with several engineering medical and general colleges dotting its undulating landscape. It attracts pilgrims from all over the world and is fast becoming a prominent tourist destination with the support and initiatives of the present MLA, MLC and a committed state government and its officials.
One example of their initiative to improve the attractiveness of the town is the beautiful Kadalakere nisargadhama.
Kadalakere nisargadhama is about two kms away from Moodabidri town. It is a place full of greenery located at Marpady village in Ontikatte.
Of the total 58 acres of land, 30 acres has been utilized to build a lake. 10 acres have been reserved for Kambala. 20 acres have been reserved for the fire service department. 50 cents of land is reserved for the construction of Rotary Park and the remaining 50 cents has been reserved for Home guards.
Kadalakere nisargadhama has been developed with the guidance of the DC, MLAs, MLCs and officers of several departments and the Kadalakere Nisargadhama Society.
Island and bird Sanctuary in the lake:
The lake has been constructed during the year 2012-13 at the cost of one crore has a manmade island spread over 1.70 acres, in its midst. A beautiful bird sanctuary has been established nearby and one can see different species of birds migrating to this area. Many species of trees have been nurtured here to provide food and a nesting place for these birds. The lake has also helped in water conservation.
Guests have been provided with comfortable seating facility to enjoy the beauty of nature. A boating facility, on the lines of the one at Pilikula Nisargadhama at Mangalore, has been introduced recently. Visitors can enjoy the waters of the lake on a motor boat or pedal boats.
Officials are planning to plant bamboo and other rare trees in this area. The monsoon doubles the beauty of the lake and nature lovers can be seen reveling in its beauty during the monsoon, fondly calling it Mungaru Kere or Monsoon Lake.
One must commend the Moodabidri MLA Abhayachandra Jain and agriculturist L C Soans, for their efforts to develop this beautiful locale into what it is today. They have devoted a lot of effort and time to develop this area for the benefit of all. The initiative and leadership of Abhayachandra Jain, has seen the Koti-Chennaya Jodukere Kambala being organized here for the last 11 years. This rural sport in this beautiful locale has made this place famous, attracting numerous people to witness the action.
However, despite these numerous attractions, it remains a weekend picnic spot rather than a regular destination on Karnataka’s tourist map. Even pilgrims who visit Hosanadu Kodadka Annapoorneshwari temple which is 3km away from the Jain Basadi and Kadalakere are not aware of these tourist places, but this is beginning to change.
“We are planning many projects in this area to make it a model tourist spot and attract more and more tourists”, said P K Thomas, member of Municipal corporation and director of Kadalakere Nisargadhama Society.
Cultural Centre to disseminate the region’s history and culture:
History, tradition and culture are easily forgotten in the warmth of modernism and this must not be allowed to happen to the rich heritage of Moodabidri. A museum or a memorial needs to be built to disseminate the history, tradition and culture of Moodabidri as the region is already popular as cultural centre because of the Kambala.
There is a proposal to start a Rathnakaravarni centre which is appreciable. If the cultural centre is built then there is no doubt the Kadalakere nisargadhama will become a special attraction as entertainment can then easily follow knowledge of the area. There is also a need to develop Konaje kallu, which will aid tourism in Moodabidri.
Access is an important facet of tourism and as the asphalted roads are concretized gradually, and the facilities and amenities expanded, tourism is bound to grow.
