Adyar Poonga, an eco-park proposed in the Adyar Creek area, is being developed to cover the creek's entire expanse of 358 acres, next to Ambedkar Memorial off Greenways Road, Adyar, Chennai. The foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on August 10. He also laid the foundation stone of an ecological restoration project at the Adyar Poonga site.
Tamil Nadu, which plans to take up ecological restoration of Adyar Estuary in Chennai, formed Adyar Poonga Trust in October 2006. It was entrusted the work of preparing Ecological Restoration Plan for Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants, Auroville, in February 2007. Based on the plan, a world-class ecological park (Adyar Poonga) would be established in Adyar Creek area measuring 58 acres in phase-I.
Ecologist Joss Brooks from Pichandikulam Forest Consultants is in charge of the entire project. It will be implemented by a 50:50 joint venture special purpose vehicle to be formed by the state government and Tamil Nadu Road Development Company. The state's contribution to the funding will be about Rs 50 crore.
The Ecological Restoration Plan will cover the extent of 358 acres, for which the state has sanctioned Rs 100 crore. After extensive studies and stakeholder consultations, a draft plan is ready.
Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Ltd, the implementing agency, is working on a plan with public input. It is coordinating with Adyar Poonga Trust. "There is a plan to create more awareness among the public about the importance of such parks. The communication plan will also let the public know about the vision for Adyar Creek," says Brooks, who has been recreating environment of Coromandel coast for the past 35 year
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