Guindy National Park

    Guindy Park, in earlier days it was actually a hunting preserve. Later it wa s known as "Guindy Lodge" and it belonged to a British citizen named Gilbert Rodericks. In 1817, the owner died with the property heavily mortgaged. Then in 1821, the Government of Madras purchased it for a sum of Rs. 35,000/= or 10,000 pagodas (pagodas being the gold currency at that time). Later in 1910, it was declared as reserved forests. In 1947, it became the permanent residence of the Governor (400 ha) and was called Raj Bhavan. The then Prime Minister Mr.Jawaharlal Nehru permitted a small area to be cordened off as a park for childern. In 1958, it was actually handed over to the Forest department. The land nearby was allocated for Gandhi Mandapam (1954), IIT (1961), Guru Nanak Educational Society (1970), Rajaji Memorial (1974), Kamaraj Memorial (1975) and Cancer Institute (1977).

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. The park also accounts for over 37 varieties of birds, like black chested, black winged kite, honey buzzard, pariah kite, and so on. There are also many kinds of amphibians and snakes to add to the variety that is already available.

Guindy National Park is one of the prime visiting spots for those who come to Chennai during vacation period. On enquiry, we learnt that this popular place 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.