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Guindy National Park is one of the prime visiting spots for
those who come to Chennai
during vacation period. A recommended picnic spot for the entire family to
spend a day amidst nature and return home joyfully in the evening. This
National Park encompasses a snake park and a children's park as well.
Guindy National Park is botanically very interesting in as much as it is
the only one of its kind to carry even today a derelict vegetation truly
representative of the natural thorny scrub jungle of the southern dry zone
interspersed with more than 30 tree species whic h include a number of
centuries old gigantic shady banyan trees. This park with a network of
road's, footpaths, nature trails, lakes and ponds, all situated amidst
sylvan surroundings offers good opportunities for viewing wild life.
Historical Background Of The Park
If we look into the historical background of the Guindy Park, in earlier
days it was actually a hunting preserve. Later it was known as "Guindy
Lodge" and it belonged to a British citizen named Gilbert Rodericks.
In 1817, the owner died with the property heavily mortgaged.
Then in 1821, the Government of Madras purchased it for a sum of Rs.
35,000/ or 10,000 pagodas (pagodas being the gold currency at that time).
Later in 1910, it was declared as reserved forests. In 1947, it became the
permanent residence of the Governor (400 hectares) and was called "Raj
Bhavan".
The then Prime Minister Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru permitted a small area to be
cordoned off as a park for children. In 1958, it was actually handed over
to the Forest department. The land nearby was allocated for Gandhi
Mandapam (1954), IIT (1961), Guru Nanak Educational Society (1970), Rajaji
Memorial (1974), Kamaraj Memorial (1975) and Cancer Institute (1977).
Flora And Fauna
Guindy Park boasts of over 24 varieties of trees, for example, Amona
Squamosa, Atlanta Monoplylla, Feronia Limonia, Azadirachta India, etc. to
mention a few. Also more than 14 varieties of shrubs are also found in the
park.
The main faunal attraction of this park is the occurrence of rare Indian
Antelope popularly known as the "Black Buck", found nowhere in
the world except India. Over 14 types of mammals like Elephant, Antelope,
Spotted Deer, Jungle Cat, Toddy Cat, Indian civet, etc. can also be seen
here.
The park also accounts for over 37 varieties of birds, like the King
Fisher, Blue Jay, Golden Backed Woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, Yellow Wattled
Lapwing, Red Wattled Lapwing, Blue Faced Malkoha, Shrikes, Koels, Doves,
Minivets, Munias, Barkets, Parakeets, Grey Partridge, Tailor Birds,
Robins, Drongos, Quails, Beak Paradise, Flycatcher, Stone Curlew and so
on. There are also many kinds of amphibians and snakes to add to the
variety that is already available.
Air:
Chennai has an
airport with both domestic and international terminals. Regular flights
connect Chennai with the major cities within the country and also with
countries like USA, Singapore, U.K., etc.
Rail: Chennai
is well connected by rail with the important towns and cities within and
beyond the state.
Road: State transport buses and private buses connect
Chennai with the
major towns and cities within the country. Local trains, city buses, auto
rickshaws and taxis are also available for local transportation.
Being the capital city of the state, Chennai is well equipped with various kinds of accommodation options, varying from economic class to luxurious ones.