The government of Karnataka plans to develop a tree park and a blackbuck reserve in Indi in Vijayapura district, Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced on August 30.

The Minister inaugurated the Gyanyogi Sri Siddeshwara Swami Arboretum in Savalsang village. He said it was dedicated to the memory of the seer who had advocated afforestation and had personally planted some saplings in the village.

“We continued the process and built this park,” the Minister said. He appreciated officers of the department for developing the park at a cost of ₹2.5 crore.

“It is everyone’s duty to save and develop forest wealth. We remain indebted to Sri Siddeshwara swami for his work in creating awareness about environment protection,” he said.

“He instilled simplicity, knowledge and love for the environment in everyone’s heart. This attractive place, built with his divine presence and inspiration, makes people take care of nature. Every citizen who comes here should take a vow to protect it as their own property,” he said.

Mr. Reddy, who is also the irrigation minister, hoped that the Revana Siddeshwara Lift Irrigation Project would benefit people of the area.

MLA Yashwant Rayagouda Patil recalled his association with the late seer and his influence on his life. He said he had released ₹90 lakh towards the arboretum.

“Most parts of northern Karnataka have achieved prosperity because of the families who sacrificed their lands for the Almatti reservoir. We continue to enrich ground water by filling as many as 19 tanks in the region. This has benefited farmers of this area,” he said.

He said he had appealed to the government of Karnataka to ensure that farmers, who suffered crop loss due to drought, get swift relief. “Efforts will be made to find a permanent solution for the drinking water problem in Indi taluk.”

The MLA credited the relentless of officers and elected representatives for the Indi Lemon obtaining the GI tag.

Manjunath Chavan, Chief Conservator of Forests, recalled that the seer had planted saplings on this land in 2022, and the Forest Department began work in 2024. He urged people to make good use of the zip line and the science park in the area. He said that over 46,000 people had already visited the park.

Basavalinga Mahaswamy, Amrutananda Mahaswamy, and Karnataka State Lime Development Board Chairperson B.S. Kavalagi were among those who participated in the event.