India Post releases special cover on Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisargadhama

MANGALURU: India Post captured the essence of two-decade long journey of Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisargadhama with a special cover on Wednesday. A B Ibrahim, Deputy Commissioner, M Jagadish Pai, senior superintendent of post offices, Mangaluru division, S A Prabhakar Sharma, executive director, Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisargadhama, B A Viveka Rai, former VC, KSOU and Kannada University released the special cover here.

Attributing release of special cover to the vision shown by DC, Prabhakar Sharma said the special cover is dedicated to promote eco-tourism and creation of awareness about environment and traditional cultural practices. Pilikula Nisargadhama located 10-kms from the city is spread over an area of 356 acres and dedicated to conservation of bio-diversity of Western Ghats, heritage and culture, creation of awareness in science and technology and promotion of tourism.

The Pilikula Nisargadhama has kept 250 special covers in its possession. Noting that the covers have a collector's item value and treasured by philatelists, Prabhakar Sharma said this cover will also be kept on display at the General Post Office in Bengaluru. The cover on the backside gives a brief description about the Nisargadhama and its various components - in English and Hindi along with the license number issued by Karnataka Postal Circle, Bengaluru.

Ibrahim said the Pilikula Nisargadhama authorities had suggested the lake at Pilikula, regional science centre, the biological park and the Guthumane as possible subjects to be depicted on the special cover. Ultimately, India Post chose to put the Guthumane prominently on the special cover, he said while directing Prabhakar Sharma to send a proposal to India Post to bring out a stamp on Pilikula Nisargadhama. "This will further perpetuate this tourism place," he noted.

Jagadish Pai said one of the special cover released will be preserved at the museum of National Philately Bureau, Dak Bhavan, New Delhi for posterity. This was fifth special cover to be released in Karnataka since January this year and had a special cancellation across an Rs 5 postage stamp showing the Thomson Gazelle released in 2015 to mark the Third India Africa Forum summit. The special cancellation is used just for the specific purpose of release of special covers.