Mangaluru: The first phase greenery project sponsored by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) at Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisargadhama here will be inaugurated on October 8 at 11.30 a.m.

As part of it more than 2,000 plants have been planted on 20 acre land. It included Western Ghats species and medicinal plants, according to H J Bhandary, Director, Pilikula Biological Park.

Among the plants planted are about 1,000 varieties which attracted butterflies. In addition, water plants, animal fodder required for the animals at the park, fruits have been grown. The MPRL was sponsoring Rs. 30 lakh to the nisargadhama for the first three years for the project. In addition, the second stage greenery would be launched on the same day. The company would sponsor Rs. 40 lakh to

As part of wildlife week celebration there would be wild life photography competition, drawing and fancy dress competition for students and others at the park in the morning on the same day. B Ramanath Rai, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology would participate, he said in the release.