Tholkappia Poonga, Ecological park in Adyar, India
Tholkappia Poonga is a 58-hectare urban park along the Adyar River, featuring mangroves, wetlands, and grasslands. The grounds host numerous native bird and plant species that visitors can observe from designated walking routes.
Created in 2011 by the Tamil Nadu government, the park was established to restore the Adyar River's natural ecosystem. The area had been severely damaged by urban expansion and required systematic recovery.
The name honors Tholkappiar, an influential Tamil grammarian, linking literary tradition with environmental care. Walking through the grounds, you can sense how local history shapes the way this place is managed and valued.
The park is easily accessible on foot and offers marked trails for bird watching and walking. Early morning visits work best for spotting birds and enjoying cooler temperatures.
The grounds function as a natural flood management system, regulating water flow and reducing heavy rainfall impact in Chennai. This ecological role makes it part of the city's working infrastructure, though visitors often overlook this aspect.
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