The Hindu 23.01.2011
Adyar Poonga will be opened for public from February 15
Adyar Eco Park, inaugurated by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on
Saturday, has been named after Tholkappiyar, the author of the Tamil
grammar treatise Tholkappiyam.
In Tamil it will be called Tholkappiya Poonga. It will be opened for public from February 15.
“Tholkappiyar is the oldest of the elder Tamils. Savants
like Thiruvalluvar came only after him and enlightened us. I take pride
in naming the park after him,” the Chief Minister said.
Mr. Karunanidhi, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister
M.K.Stalin, Ministers and senior officials went around the park. He
interacted with the schoolchildren, who had come to receive prizes for
various competitions held as part of the inaugural function.
Asked whether the government planned to collect an entry
fee from the public, Phanindra Reddy, Member Secretary, Chennai Rivers
Restoration Trust, said no decision had been taken so far. “It is still
under discussion,” he added. A documentary on the park before and after
the restoration of 58 acres in the first phase was screened for the
audience.
The government has spent Rs. 23 crore.
About 1.37 lakh saplings of around 172 species of
trees, shrubs, herbs, reeds and tuberous plants native to this region
have been planted to serve as habitat for aquatic, terrestrial and
arboreal species. Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants are the consultants
for the project and the restoration is being monitored through
educational institutions and Anna University.
Two years of restoration works have resulted in
significant improvement in water quality and presence of 27 species of
fish and 91 species of birds.
A government press release said phase II of the project
covering 300 acres between Santhome Causeway and Thiru Vi Ka bridge
would be taken up soon.
Though Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was to inaugurate
the park on January 3, he could not attend the function because
environment clearance was not obtained at that time.