Guindy National Park: A Safer Space for Blackbuck and Deer
Polo Ground Cleared of Overgrowth
The polo ground in Guindy National Park, a crucial grazing area for blackbuck and spotted deer, has been cleared of wild growth after eight years. Delayed permission from Raj Bhavan authorities had previously prevented this four-hectare stretch from being maintained.
Enhancing Blackbuck Habitat
- Thick vegetation made blackbuck uneasy
- Blackbuck were driven to find alternative grazing areas
- Clearing efforts follow last year’s removal of invasive species
Blackbuck are creatures of open plains, and dense vegetation can make them uncomfortable and disrupt their natural movements. Consequently, they had to seek alternative grazing areas, primarily within the Raj Bhavan campus. This recent clearing is an extension of last year’s efforts to remove invasive species like Prosopis juliflora and Antigonon leptopus from six and four hectares of park land.
Reintroducing Native Grass Species
- Native grass species gathered from various park regions
- Grass expected to grow within a month after sowing
- Goal to restore the polo ground to its original state
Authorities have initiated the planting of native grass species sourced from different areas of the park. According to an official, the grass should start growing within a month after the seeds are sown. The aim is to restore the polo ground to its original condition, bringing back its natural appearance and ecological balance.
Guindy National Park: A Unique Urban Sanctuary
- India’s smallest national park
- Only national park located within a metropolitan city
- Home to 130 bird species, Indian jackals, civet cats, pangolins, and more
- Essential green space for Chennai
Guindy National Park, spanning 2.70sqkm, is India’s smallest national park and the only one situated within a major city. It houses not only blackbuck and spotted deer but also 130 bird species, Indian jackals, civet cats, pangolins, star tortoises, and monitor lizards. The park serves as a vital green space for Chennai, offering rich biodiversity without any encroachment.
Comparing Guindy National Park to Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park
A senior wildlife official drew a comparison between Guindy National Park and Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which, despite being located within a city, faces severe encroachment issues and frequent human-animal conflicts. The Mumbai high court recently ordered the construction of a perimeter wall around that park to minimize leopard intrusions into human settlements.
