Biodiversity park to come up at historic boat jetty

A centuries old boat-jetty here, once a major gateway of passenger and cargo transport from and to erstwhile state of Travancore, will soon be converted into a bio-park, showcasing terrestrial biodiversity of Kerala.
Planning is afoot by Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) to renovate the unused Vallakkadavu boat-jetty here and turn it into a biodiversity park, a first of its kind in the state.
The proposed park, planned at the two-story heritage building at the jetty, will comprise an amphi-theatre, exhibits throwing light into the biodiversity hotspots of the state, display of rare seeds and screening-boards showing nature conservation messages.

Besides this, an aquatic park, showcasing typical fresh water ecosystem, will also be set up outside the building in the 5,000 sq ft boat-house areea, a top KSBB official said.
The new bio-park would help nature enthusiasts, tourists and students to have a glance of the rich biodiversity legacy of the state, he said.
"It is the first such biodiversity park being set up in the state. The park will help visitors to have a basic idea about the biodiversity hotspots of the state and its unique features," KSBB chairman Ommen V Ommen told PTI.
He said the building, handed over to the KSBB by the state Tourism Department, would become one of the most sought after tourist destinations if everything goes as planned.

A total expense of Rs four crore was expected for the project, he added.