Forest Minister Announces Blackbuck Reserve and Tree Park in Indi Taluk

Karnataka Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced ambitious eco-tourism and conservation plans for Indi taluk during his visit to Vijayapura district. Speaking at Savalsang village in Indi taluk, the minister formally inaugurated the Gyanyogi Sri Siddeshwara Swami Arboretum, constructed at a cost of ₹2.5 crore by the Forest Department. The green project honours the late Siddeshwara Swamiji, a revered spiritual leader who actively advocated afforestation and personally planted saplings at the site in 2022. During the inauguration, Minister Ramalinga Reddy declared that the Karnataka government will develop a dedicated tree park and a blackbuck reserve in Indi taluk to protect local wildlife and promote environmental sustainability. The newly inaugurated arboretum at Savalsang features a science park, an adventure zip line, and extensive botanical collections. Chief Conservator of Forests Manjunath Chavan highlighted that the park has already attracted over 46,000 visitors, making it a prominent destination in northern Karnataka. Indi MLA Yashwant Rayagouda Patil expressed satisfaction with the project, noting that he contributed ₹90 lakh from local development funds toward the arboretum. Local dignitaries, including Karnataka State Lime Development Board Chairperson B.S. Kavalagi and religious leaders from nearby mutts, participated in the event. The proposed blackbuck reserve and eco-park are expected to boost local eco-tourism, create green employment, and safeguard native wildlife in Indi taluk.