Karwar: A ‘rock garden’ coming up at Ravindranath Tagore beach in Karwar, will showcase what Uttara Kannada district is about. Set to be thrown open for the public next month, the shapes carved out in rocks give the visitors glimpses of the district.

Rocks found while four-laning of the Mangaluru-Panaji highway have been carved into creative shapes.

According to officials of the Mines and Geology Department, the rocks formed about 3000-4000 years ago are hard to break. Following advice by artists, the district administration evinced interest to use the rocks to create an eco-garden to attract tourists.

Sources in the deputy commissioner’s office said the rock garden is being built on three acres and as amusement park is also likely to come up there.

The rock garden work began about a year ago and now it is near completion. At the garden, a fort-like wall, sculptures of creative art, cement sculpture of tribal people of Uttara Kannada and their lifestyle, animals, lifestyle of fishermen and many more have been created.

The diversity of the district which is home to many tribal communities including Halakki Vokkaligas, Kunabi, Siddi, Dongri and Gouli, Yakshagana artistes, fishermen, waterfalls will be reflected on the garden.

M G Kaje, who has taken up playground works at the garden, said they are creating a suspension bridge, a monkey bridge and other play infrastructure for children. Children can play adventure games in the garden, he said.

The nearby port tower which is not used by the port department will be converted into a green tower. From the top of the tower, people can watch five islands in the Arabian Sea, Karwar port, ship movement with help from binoculars.

Additional DC H Prasanna said the ‘Rock Garden’ will be a reflection of Uttara Kannada district - its nature, lifestyle of various tribal communities, art and culture. Many things are recreated in the garden and visitors can easily understand the district by visiting the garden.

The tourism department has spent Rs 75 lakh and IRB Infrastructure which has taken up the highway widening project has contributed Rs 61 lakh under from its corporate social responsibility fund for the creation of the rock garden.