Guindy National Park, adjacent to the Raj Bhavan, is situated in the Mambalam, Guindy taluk in Chennai. Guindy National Park, The smallest national park in India and one of the few located in a metro.
About Guindy National Park :
Guindy National Park is situated in Chennai. Guindy National Park is one of the prime visiting spots for those who come to Chennai during vacation period. It attracts visitors over three lakhs during a season. A recommended picnic spot for the entire family to spend a day amidst nature and return home joyfully in the evening.
Features Guindy National Park :
Guindy Park happens to be the smallest and the only park within the city suburbs of India. The park features an amazing bio diversity. The flora and fauna contained in the park make it one of the best tourist destinations in Chennai city. The park is inhabited by more than 20 species of trees, about 14 varieties of shrubs and more than 14 species of woodland mammals.The place also houses many species of rare birds and amphibians. The dry deciduous forests of Guindy are lined with tree species like Amona Squamosa, Atlanta Monophylla, Feronia Limonia and Azadirachta India. The popular park animals include species like Indian Antelope (Black Buck), Elephant, Spotted Deer, Indian Civet, Jungle Cat, Hedgehog, Pangolin and Jackal. Some rare bird species found in the park include Black Winged Kite, Honey Buzzard, Pariah Kite. The park is also home to many reptile and amphibian species.
Location Guindy National Park :
The Guindy National Park is stretched in the city premises of Chennai. The park is the only of its kind to be located within the city suburbs. Guindy National Park lies in the southern outskirts of Chennai city, at a place called Adyar. The park is situated close to the Governor’s House (Raj Bhavan).
Overview Guindy National Park :
The Guindy National Park used to be a game reserve till 1817. The place was bought by a British citizen named Gilbert Rodericks who died in the year 1817. Rodericks could not pay his debts while he was alive and had his property mortgaged. In the year 1821, the Government of Madras purchased the park lands. The next development came in the year 1947 when the place got established as the Governor’s Residence. The park area was handed over to the Tamil Nadu Forest Department which at that time constituted 400 hectares. The nearby area was allocated to IIT(1961), Guru Nanak Educational Society (1970), Rajaji Memorial (1974), Kamaraj Memorial (1975) and Cancer Institute (1977). The current park area stands close to 280 hectares.
Animals at Guindy National Park :
The compositions of animals Black Buck, Chital, Jackal, Pangolin and a variety of Avi fauna. This 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, over 14 types of mammals like elephant, antilope, spotted dear, jungle cat, toddy cat, Indian civet, etc.
Plant Life at the Guindy National Park :
Guindy Park encompasses various species and a variety of plant life. There are over 24 varieties of trees in the National park. Some of the prominent trees that you can spot here at the park are Atlanta Monoplylla, Amona Squamosa, Feronia Azadirachta India, Limonia, etc. In addition to this there are more than 14 shrub varieties that are found in the park.
Chidren’s Park Guindy National Park :
This is the adjacent gate to Snake park and has a seperate entry fee. The charges for an adult is Rs. 5/- while children below the age of 10 can go in free. Cameras are as usual charged seperately.
On the other side of the park, one can find play aread for kids which includes swings and slides. There are quite of few of these in number, however one must double check the slides and swings for rust as it is not that well maintained.
You would take about two hours or more to go around the entire park. There are quite a few benches where you can rest and snack. You will have to remember not to litter the place and you are also not allowed to take any plastic covers inside the park.
Overall, you would have some good time if you love watching animals and birds. It would be a bit tiring as you will have to walk a lot, however it is definately worth the walk.
Vehicle parking Guindy National Park :
There is a huge parking lot for cars and bikes inside GNP and if you are lucky you will get to see a few deers off their fences into the parking lot. If you are luckier, you can get to see them upclose and feed them with some good fruits or vegetable. Please donot feed them with pop corns or biscuits or any other thing that is not their natural food.
How to Reach the Guindy National Park :
The Chennai airport is connected with major cities within the country and also with countries like USA, Singapore, U.K., etc.
