Guindy National Park

Guindy National Park UPSC

Guindy National Park is a protected area located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the smallest national parks in India. Despite its relatively small size, the park is significant as it is situated within the city limits and serves as the green lungs to a great metropolitan city in Tamil Nadu. 

Guindy National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity and serves as an important habitat for various flora and fauna species. The park is known for its wildlife population, specially for blackbucks.

Within the park, there are several attractions and facilities for visitors, including a snake park, which houses various snake species and provides educational information about them. There is also a children's park, a forest museum, and a deer park where visitors can observe and learn about the wildlife. The park offers nature trails and walking paths for visitors to explore and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Table of Contents Location History Area River Lake Flora Fauna UPSC Questions

Guindy National Park Location

Guindy National Park is located in the city of Chennai, which is the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The park is situated within the Guindy neighborhood, approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the city center. 

The Guindy National Park is an extension of the grounds surrounding Raj Bhavan, formerly known as the ‘Guindy Lodge’, the official residence of the governor of Tamil Nadu.

Guindy National Park is the 8th-smallest National Park of India and one of the very few national parks situated inside a city. It  is bounded by the Adyar River on the north and the Guindy Lake on the south.

Its central location makes Guindy National Park easily accessible to both residents and visitors to Chennai. It is well-connected by roads and public transportation, allowing people to conveniently reach the park for recreational activities and nature exploration.

Nearest Airport:

Chennai International Airport is situated at a distance of 10.2 km from Guindy National Park.

Nearest Railway Station:

The nearest station is Guindy Railway Station 1 km away. Chennai Central Railway Station is 12 kms and Chennai Egmore Railway Station is 9 kms away from the Guindy National Park.

Guindy National Park History

Who built Guindy National Park?

The history of Guindy National Park is intertwined with the history of the Guindy estate and its transformation into a protected area. Here's a brief overview:

1. Establishment of Guindy Lodge: During the 1670s, the Guindy forest area was transformed into a garden space, and the Guindy Lodge was built by William Langhome, the governor of colonial Madras. The lodge served as the residence for the governor.

2. Declaration as Reserved Forest: In the early 20th century, in 1910, the Guindy forest area was declared a reserved forest under the provisions of the Madras Forest Act. This step aimed to protect the flora and fauna populations within the region, leading to restrictions on entry and activities such as cutting vegetation.

3. Transformation into Raj Bhavan: In 1947, the Guindy Lodge became the permanent residence of the Governor of Madras, and it started being referred to as Raj Bhavan. During this period, a proposal was made to allocate a portion of the estate to the public for developing amenities.

4. Contribution to Public and Conservation Efforts: As per the proposal, around 400 hectares of land were allocated for various purposes, including the establishment of Gandhi Mandapam, Indian Institute of Technology, Guru Nanak Educational Society, Rajaji Memorial, Kamaraj Memorial, and the Cancer Institute. However, an extent of approximately 270.57 hectares was spared for conservation purposes.

5. Declaration as National Park: In 1978, the spared area within the Guindy estate, known as Guindy Deer Park, was officially declared as Guindy National Park. This small area of the park played a significant role in the ecological environment of Chennai (formerly known as Madras).

6. Development and Protection: In the late 1980s, a random rubble masonry wall was constructed around the park to enhance protection and security.

7. Guindy Snake Park: Additionally, adjacent to Guindy National Park, the Guindy Snake Park gained recognition as a medium zoo from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in 1995. The snake park and the national park together contribute to the conservation and ecological significance of the area.

Guindy National Park Area

Guindy National Park covers an area of approximately 2.7 square kilometers (1.04 square miles). It is considered one of the smallest national parks in India in terms of land area and one of the very few national parks situated inside a city. 

The park area is an extension of the grounds surrounding Raj Bhavan, formerly known as the 'Guindy Lodge', the official residence of the governor of Tamil Nadu, India.

Despite its relatively small size, the park holds significant ecological importance within an urban setting, providing a green oasis and habitat for various flora and fauna species.

Guindy National Park River

Adyar River flows through the Guindy National Park from north to south. The Adyar River is a major tributary of the Kaveri River and is home to a variety of aquatic life.

The Adyar River is a major river that flows through the city of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the two main rivers in Chennai, along with the Cooum River. The Adyar River originates in the Chembarambakkam Lake,  in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu, India.

The river flows for a distance of approximately 42 kilometers (26 miles) before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It passes through various parts of Chennai, including areas like Guindy, Adyar, and Thiruvanmiyur. The Adyar River plays a crucial role in the hydrology and drainage system of the city.

The Adyar River also holds cultural and historical significance. There are several landmarks and structures situated along its banks, including the Theosophical Society, the Adyar estuary, and the Adyar Eco Park, which provide recreational spaces for residents and visitors.

Guindy National Park Lake

Guindy National Park is home to a lake known as the Guindy Lake or Guindy Tank. It is a man-made lake located within the park's boundaries. The Guindy Lake plays an important role in the park's ecosystem by providing a water source for wildlife and supporting various aquatic plants and animals.

The lake is spread across a significant portion of Guindy National Park and adds to the overall beauty and biodiversity of the area. It serves as a habitat for water birds, turtles, fish, and other aquatic organisms.

The Guindy Lake also offers a serene and picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy. It provides opportunities for birdwatching, boating, and leisurely walks along its banks. The lake's presence enhances the recreational value of Guindy National Park and allows visitors to connect with nature in an urban environment.

Guindy National Park Flora

Guindy National Park is known for its diverse flora, showcasing a range of plant species adapted to the dry deciduous forest and scrubland ecosystems. Here are some of the notable flora found in Guindy National Park:

(1) Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests:

Guindy National Park features patches of tropical dry evergreen forests, which are characteristic of the Coromandel Coast. These forests are known for their evergreen nature, even during the dry seasons, and are home to a variety of plant species adapted to the coastal environment.

(2) Tropical Dry Evergreen Scrub and Thorn Forests: 

Along with the evergreen forests, the park also includes areas of tropical dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests. These habitats are characterized by shrubs, thorny bushes, and dry-tolerant vegetation adapted to the drier conditions.

(3) Mixed Dry Deciduous Scrub Jungle:

Guindy National Park also contains sections of mixed dry deciduous scrub jungle. This type of vegetation consists of a mix of deciduous trees, shrubs, and grasses that shed their leaves during the dry season.

(4) Grassland:

The presence of grasslands in Guindy National Park provides an ideal habitat for blackbucks. Blackbucks are an antelope species known for their agility and speed. They thrive in open grasslands and are well-adapted to the drier conditions found in the park.

Guindy National Park Fauna (Guindy National Park Animals)

Which animal is protected in Guindy National Park?/Which is the famous animal in Guindy National Park?/Guindy National Park is famous for which animal?

Guindy National Park is home to a diverse range of fauna, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Here are some of the notable species that can be found in the park:

Mammals:

• Blackbuck
• Jackals 
• Toddy Cat
• Civet Cat
• Jungle Cat
• Pangolin
• Hedgehog
• Shrew
• Black-naped Hare
• Bonnet Macaques
• Mongoose

Birds:

• Grey Partridge
• Crow Pheasant
• Parrot
• Quail
• Paradise Flycatcher
• Black-winged Kite
• Honey Buzzard
• Pariah Kite
• Golden-backed Woodpecker
• Yellow-wattled Lapwing
• Red-wattled Lapwing
• Blue-faced Malkoha
• Shrikes
• Asian Koel
• Minivets
• Munias
• Parakeet
• Tailor Bird
• Robin
• Drongo
• Stone Curlew

Reptiles:

• Saw-scaled Viper
• Fan-throated Lizard
• Star Tortoise
• Lizards
• Geckos
• Chameleons
• Common Indian Monitor Lizard

Guindy National Park UPSC Questions

Q. Guindy National Park is located in which state?/Where is Guindy National Park located?

A. Guindy National Park is located in the city of Chennai, which is the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. 

Q. Why is Guindy National Park famous?

A. Guindy National Park is famous for several reasons:

• Urban National Park
• Biodiversity and Wildlife
• Historical Significance
• Conservation Efforts
• Recreational Opportunities
• Educational and Research Value

Q. What is Guindy National Park also known as?

A. Guindy National Park is also known as Guindy Deer Park or simply Guindy Park. The name "Guindy Deer Park" was given to the park when it was initially declared a national park in 1978 due to the presence of a significant population of blackbucks, also known as Indian antelope, within its boundaries.

Q. Which river flows through Guindy National Park?

A. Adiyar river flows through Guindy National Park.

Q. Why is it called Guindy?

A. The name "Guindy" is derived from the original name of the area where Guindy National Park is located. The park is situated in the neighborhood of Guindy, which is part of the city of Chennai (formerly known as Madras), in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

The origins of the name "Guindy" are not definitively known, but it is believed to have come from the Tamil word "Kuyindi," which means "muddy place" or "place with muddy soil." This name could be attributed to the characteristics of the land in the area, which may have had muddy or marshy soil in the past.

Over time, the name "Kuyindi" was anglicized to "Guindy," and it became associated with the locality, the Guindy Lodge, and eventually the national park that was established within its boundaries.

So, the park is called Guindy National Park because it is located in the Guindy neighborhood, which derived its name from the Tamil word "Kuyindi."