Umanath A. Kotian, MLA, Moodbidri, releasing fish into Pilikula lake as part of Matsyotsava in Mangaluru on Sunday. more-in The annual Matsyotsava, or fish festival, at the Dr. K. Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama on Sunday drew a large crowd that relished fish delicacies and took home fresh fish. Inaugurating the event, Umanath A. Kotian, MLA, Moodbidri, said though the Nisargadhama is on the international tourism map, denizens around Mangaluru are yet to exploit its potential. Work done by then Deputy Commissioner Bharatlal Meena in bringing up the Nisargadhama should always be remembered, he said. The event included catching of fish from Pilikula lake, the seedlings of which had been released last year, and releasing of fresh fish seedlings into it. People in the coast, used to sea fish, enjoyed the freshwater fish at the event. Nisargadhama Executive Director Prasanna said the activity, besides introducing freshwater fish to the local populace, also brought in revenue to the park. Exhibition and sale of varieties of fish as well as auction of fish caught from the lake attracted the people.

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