Tholkappia Poonga
Tholkappia Poonga | |
---|---|
Type | Urban park |
Location | Adyar in Chennai, India |
Coordinates | 13°1′12.8676″N 80°15′54.0144″E / 13.020241000°N 80.265004000°E |
Area | 358 acres (145 hectares) |
Created | 2011 |
Operated by | Chennai River Restoration Trust |
Status | Open all year |
Tholkappia Poonga or Adyar Eco Park (also known as Adyar Poonga) is an ecological park set up by the
Geography
The
The Adyar wetland reserve is a significant link for birds on their great annual migrations, particularly the wading birds which feed on the coastal mudflats. Historically, approximately 200 species of migratory birds visited the Adyar Creek region but many are now on the endangered IUCN Red List. The restoration of this coastal wetland ecosystem will encourage many of these species to return.[5]
Early phase
An estimated not more than 500 acres of undisturbed tropical dry evergreen forest remains in Tamil Nadu and the eco-park, aiming at the restoration of more than 350 acres, serves as a significant conservation effort to bring this vegetation back to the Coromandel coast. Owing to uncontrolled exploitation of the wetland due to urbanisation, the region became a degraded area by the end of the 20th century. When the Ambedkar Memorial was constructed, the damage to the ecosystem was challenged by the Citizen, consumer and civil Action Group (CAG) in the court. In 2000, the High Court directed the state government to preserve the wetlands. On 22 December 2003, the State Government handed over 58 acres of the area to the Corporation of Chennai to develop it into an eco park modelled on Parque Texozomoc of Mexico.[6] The eco-park was conceptualised by M. P. Vijayakumar, the then commissioner of the Chennai Corporation, in 2004.[7] The budget of ₹ 600 million for creating the park was passed in 2005 and Adyar Creek Eco Park Limited, a special purpose vehicle, was set up to harness and channel the funds for development. In a bid to take up ecological restoration of the Adyar estuary, the Tamil Nadu Government constituted the Adyar Poonga Trust in October 2006. The Trust was set up with the Chief Secretary as the chairman and Secretaries of Highways, Forests, Fisheries, Municipal Administration & Water Supply, and Finance as members. However, the CAG was never made part of the body.[6] The work of preparing an ecological restoration plan was entrusted with Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants of Auroville in February 2007. The ecological restoration aimed at an eco-park that will be a showcase ecosystem of the Coromandel Coast with fresh water ponds, brackish areas, mangroves, mud flats, dunes, and islands.
The improvement did not begin until clearance in June 2004. Once completed, it is claimed to become the first eco-tourism venture in the state. A major portion of the boundary wall for the park was built by the
The Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust
Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited has been charged with engaging consultants to develop a master plan and invite bidders for development of the park. The Adyar Creek Trust has been set up by the government of Tamil Nadu to co-ordinate the execution of the project. The Adyar Poonga Trust has been rechristened as Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust (CRRT). The Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu is the chairman for the trust and the secretaries in the Finance Department, Municipal Administration and Water Supplies, Highways Department, Public Works Department, Environment and Forest Department, and the Commissioner,
M. Karunanidhi, the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, laid the foundation stone for the project in August 2007.
Phase I
Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants are the lead consultants in the ecological restoration of 58-acres of the Adyar Creek estuary. As part of the master plan for the restoration of the creek area, a 40-m causeway connecting Karpagam Avenue near Greenways Road with Mandaveli was demolished and was replaced by a wooden bridge 40-m long and 3-m wide. Along South Canal Bank Road, a mangrove forest has been created, as the soil is well suited for such growth.[8] In the first phase of the ecological restoration plan which covers 58 acres costing ₹ 230 million, more than 91,280 varieties of saplings of 172 endemic species of trees, herbs, shrubs, reeds and tuberous plants were planted to serve as habitat for aquatic, terrestrial and arboreal species, chiefly at locations such as the entrance plaza, swale area near Town Planning Scheme Road, the rear side of Ambedkar Manimandapam and along Santhome entrance plaza, lakes were desilted, and a play area for children was created. About 37,600 reeds have been planted along the water margins.
Development works include land development (including excavation), construction of visitors' orientation area, three wooden bridges and a steel bridge for sightseers, a green centre, nursery building, children's interactive learning centre, environmental education centre, bamboo pavilions, signages and exhibits. The green centre has been planned in the erstwhile fisheries building near Ramakrishna Mutt Road. An audio visual room, environmental education centre, library to document creek activities, laboratory to check water quality, a souvenir shop, coffee corner, all form part of the centre. The CRRT had to excavate 150,000 tonnes of construction debris and garbage from the site to create a water body embellished with earthen pathways, wooden bridges, signage and bamboo pavilions. A total of 266,000 cubic metres of earth was removed from the site to create a park. The Phase I of the park has 136,560 plants of 172 indigenous species with about 1,000 name boards with inscriptions of the botanical names.[9] It also includes solar-powered lights, seven water tanks, PVC pipes for a length of 3,100 m, and roads and pathways stretching 4 km on the 58-acre campus. The environmental clearance for the Adyar Poonga was obtained from the Union ministry of environment and forests in mid-January 2011. The park was opened to public on 22 January 2011. One fourth of the 58-acre park would be the conservation zone to which public would have no access.[10] A ticket plaza has been built near Brodies Castle Road.[2]
About 4.16 acres of Phase I development has been categorised as Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) III.[11] The Phase I consists chiefly of wetland habitat with 70 percent water.[12] A number of stormwater drains carrying water to the Adyar River are being diverted by the Chennai Corporation for better recharge of water in the eco-park. The new inlets of the drain would pass through South Canal Bank Road, Rohini Garden and Karpagam Avenue. These will be in addition to existing stormwater drain inlets along roads such as R. K. Mutt Road.[13]
Phase II
The second phase of the project covers ecological restoration of about 300 acres of Adyar River estuary between Theosophical Society and Srinivasapuram[14] and includes habitat restoration, monitoring pathways, sanitation, solid waste management and measures to enhance tidal influx in Adyar estuary and creek.[15] The plan for the second phase had been prepared and work started in January 2011, on the day of inauguration of the first phase of the park. Work on the phase is estimated to cost ₹ 189.3 million. The CRRT plans to make an application seeking permission from the State Coastal Zone Management Authority for commencing the second phase of the Adyar Poonga. The area covered under the second phase falls under CRZ III category.[11] The authority would examine the project proposed in the CRZ area and give its recommendations for it to be referred to the government.
The second phase would mainly involve water body restoration. About 100,000 saplings belonging to 24 mangrove species such as Avicennia marina, Acanthus ilicifolius, and Rizhophora mucronata and mangrove associates such as barringtonia and pongamia will be planted.[15]
On getting approval for the second phase from the government, cleaning of the stretch between the Kotturpuram bridge and Greenways Road would commence with the active participation of the
There are proposals to enlarge the culverts below Santhome Causeway to allow passage of water in and out of the creek.[16] Mangrove plantations will also come up along the river to the Thiru Vi Ka Bridge in Adyar.[17] Plans to restore the old Elphinstone Bridge adjacent the Thiru Vi Ka Bridge by setting up a bird-watching spot along with a garden are part of the Phase II of the restoration.[18]
Flora and fauna
Although around 200 species of birds have been reported in the creek area in the past, several of these had vanished from the vicinity because of rapid urbanisation.[19]
A total of 143 species of fish, amphibians, birds and reptiles have been seen in the park and the number is expected to go up to 200 once the project is completed. More than 85 different kinds of birds, including rare
Other species spotted in the vicinity after restoration include mammals such as grey mongoose and
The number of species of birds in the park has increased from 33 in 2007 to 90 in 2010 and to 120 in 2019.[24] Reptiles have increased from 14 in 2007 to 29 in 2010. Ambhibians have increased from three in 2007 to 10 in 2010.[25]
Civic initiatives
An organisation named 'Friends of Adyar Poonga', with about 40 members, has been started as an initiative to promote environment conservation. The organisation is aiming at helping in creating environmental awareness in local schools. The members meet every second Saturday of the month inside the park.[8]
Visitor information
Given the fragile ecology of the park, the monitoring committee appointed by the Madras High Court had recommended minimum human interference in the park, which is presently intended to serve as a centre for environmental education as well as research activities.[3] As of October 1, 2023, the park is open to the public with limited access in the morning and evening from 6:30 am to 8:30 am and 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Guided tours are available in the afternoon from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, excluding Sundays and public holidays. The park is also open for students from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, excluding Sundays and public holidays.
Entry Particulars | Cost |
---|---|
Students and Teachers | 10₹ per person |
Park Entry | 20₹ per person |
Guided Tours | 20₹ per person |
Car Parking | 20₹ per vehicle |
Van / Bus Parking | 50₹ per vehicle |
Still Camera | 50₹ per camera |
Video Camera | 100₹ per camera |
Monthly pass | 500₹ per person |
3 month pass | 1500₹ per person |
6 month pass | 2500₹ per person |
12 month pass | 5000₹ per person |
Species spotted at the Poonga
-
A Pelican (Seen in July)
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A shikra (Seen in April)
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Cattle herons (Seen in May)
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Common myna (Daily)
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An Indian jungle crow (Daily)
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A little egret (Daily)
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A yellow billed intermediate egret (Daily)
See also
- Madhavaram botanical garden
- Semmoli Poonga
- Parks in Chennai
References
- ^ "அடையார் பூங்கா: முதல்வர் திறந்து வைத்தார்" (in Tamil). Dina Mani. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
- ^ a b "Adyar Poonga named after poet Tholkappiar". The Times of India. Chennai. 23 January 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
- ^ a b Times News Network (13 February 2011). "Eco-sensitive Adyar Poonga open only for school children, decision on allowing in public later". The Times of India. Chennai: The Times Group. p. 2. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ Mariappan, Julie (7 April 2011). "4,000 footfalls in Tholkappia poonga in 2 months". The Times of India. Chennai. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ^ "Adyar Eco Park". Pitchandikulam Forest. nd. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ^ a b "What is happening at the Adyar Poonga?". Madras Musings. XXI (8). 1–15 August 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ Mariappan, Julie (24 December 2010). "My green city". The Times of India. Chennai: The Times Group. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Adyar Poonga gets ready for the public". Madras Musings. XX (4). 1–15 June 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
- ^ TNN (5 December 2010). "Adyar Poonga all set to open". The Times of India. Chennai: The Times Group. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ^ "Adyar Poonga project phase I inauguration on January 3". The Hindu. Chennai. 6 December 2010. Archived from the original on 10 December 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ^ a b Lopez, Aloysius Xavier (7 November 2011). "Clearance to be sought for Adyar Poonga phase-II". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
- ^ Padmanabhan, Geeta (9 January 2012). "Chennai's eco spots". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
- ^ Xavier Lopez, Aloysius (16 April 2012). "More stormwater to help restore Adyar creek". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ a b Lopez, Aloysius Xavier (22 December 2012). "Second phase of Adyar Poonga gains momentum". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
- ^ a b "One lakh mangroves in Adyar creek soon". The Hindu. Chennai. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
- ^ Lopez, Aloysius Xavier (15 May 2011). "Chennai River Restoration Trust to seek nod for Adyar Poonga second phase". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ^ Mariappan, Julie (7 September 2011). "Adyar river clean-up part 2 set to roll out". The Times of India. Chennai: The Times Group. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ^ Ramakrishnan, Deepa H. (13 January 2013). "173-year-old Elphinstone Bridge gets a makeover". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ a b Lopez, Aloysius Xavier; P. Oppili (5 November 2011). "More winged visitors flock to Adyar Poonga". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ "Rare, endangered species sighted at Adyar Poonga". The Deccan Chronicle. Chennai.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ Lopez, Aloysius Xavier (23 March 2011). "Post-monsoon study at Adyar Eco Park from next week". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
External links
- Official website
- Karunanidhi to inaugurate Adyar eco park work in: The Hindu, retrieved on 18 July 2008
- Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd.
- Adyar Eco Project plan at Auroville.org
- A slide-show of the park featuring photographs taken in October 2017
- [1] Ticket booking for Tholkappia Pooonga.