CHENNAI: Overcoming the Union Environment Ministry’s non-clearance roadblock, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Saturday inaugurated the dream project of the State government, the Adyar Poonga and renamed it as “Tholkappiya Poonga” after the celebrated Tamil grammar guru Thokappiyar.
After nearly three years of ecological restoration efforts, the first phase of the park that was inaugurated boasts of a regenerated 58 acre-creek area that is now home to amphibians like the green frog, the soft shell turtle -both endangered species- the Brahminy skink, birds including white breasted kingfisher, plovers and the shikra besides crustaceans like the mud crab.
As part of the restoration process, about 2.67 lakh cubic meters of debris and organic sludge were excavated and as a result the water quality has improved showing the presence of 27 species of fish and 91 species of birds. Also, 1.37 lakh saplings covering about 172 species of trees, shrubs, herbs, reeds and tuberous plants were planted and this serves as habitat for aquatic, terrestrial and arboreal species.
An environment education centre and a nursery that would sell seedlings and organic manure is part of the eco-park the restoration of which the State government had so far spent Rs 23 crore. The second phase of the project covering 300 acres between Santhome causeway and Thiru Vi Ka bridge will be taken up soon.
The poonga will be thrown open to the public by February 15. A handbook on the salient features of the poonga was released at the function.