Harangi to get Karnataka’s first biodiversity park
Madikeri: The work to develop the first biodiversity park of the state was launched in Harangi, by laying the foundation stone on Friday.
Legislator Appachu Ranjan, who conducted the ‘bhoomipooja’ for the biodiversity park work, said, “India is the biggest exporter of medicinal herbs. The new park will help us.”
He said that a medicinal herbal park will also be opened in Bhagamandala soon.
“Medicinal plants are needed to cure diseases. Also, the environment will be healthy if there is enough greenery,” he pointed out.
Karnataka Biodiversity Board chairperson Napanda Ravi Kalappa, who presided over the ceremony in Harangi, said that a master plan of building a model medicinal garden in the district was readied by the Board. The park is also being launch to conserve the richness of the flora of Kodagu, he added.
“The Karnataka Biodiversity Board intends to establish similar parks in every panchayat of Kodagu. The Coorg Mandarin used to be an exclusive plant to Kodagu, but is virtually not to be found anywhere now. Research is now being conducted to promote this species,” Kalappa said.
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Lokayukta raids on Sarfaraz Khan unearth wealth worth Rs 14.38 crore including 38 acres land
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Lokayukta on Wednesday said cooperative societies director Sardar Sarfaraz Khan was found to be possessing assets to the tune of Rs 14.38 crore.
The Lokayukta sleuths had raided at 13 locations linked to Khan including "his residences, offices and the residences of his relatives," on December 24, 2025 in a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case, according to a release.
Khan is presently working as Secretary to the government in the Housing and Minority Welfare Department. He is close to the Housing and Minority Welfare Minister, B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.
During the searches, the Lokayukta team found him owning four houses, 37 acres of agricultural land, which is estimated to be worth Rs 8.44 crore. The team found ornaments worth Rs 3 crore, Rs 1.64 crore worth vehicles, fixed deposits and other investments worth Rs 5.94 crore, the release added.
