Guindy National Park - Tamil Nadu - गुंद्य राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
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 Photo by : jpowers65 in flickr More images... |
Guindy National Park, probably the smallest national park in the country is located within the city limits of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. 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.
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.
The park with an area of 2.82 Sq. km has a strong historical background. Originally a game reserve of 400 hectares, it was owned by Gilbert Rodericks, a British citizen. When Gilbert died, in 1821 the Tamil Nadu government purchased it and the surrounding wooded property for a sum of Rs. 35,000/. The place was declared as reserved forests in 1910. The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru allotted a portion of the Guindy forest as a park for children. In 1958, it was handed over to the Forest department and in 1978 the entire forest area was declared as Guindy national park.
Guindy National park consists of various vegetation zones mainly tropical dry evergreen flora with over 350 species of plants including trees, shrubs, climbers, herbs and grasses. 24 varieties of trees including Amona Squamosa, Atlanta Monoplylla, Feronia Limonia, Azadirachta India and many others are found in this park.
The animals found here include spotted deer, black bucks (also known as Rare Indian Antelope found only in India), white bucks, river otter, hyena, bonnet monkey, civet cat, jackals, pangolin, hedgehog and common mongoose.
Birds which can be seen here are the black winged kite, the buzzard, olden Backed Woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, Yellow Wattled Lapwing, Red Wattled Lapwing, Blue Faced Malkoha, Shrikes, Koels, pariah kite, Minivets, Munias, Barkets, Parakeets, Grey Partridge, Tailor Birds, Robins, Drongos, Quails, Beak Paradise, Flycatcher, Stone Curlew and so on.
The Children's Park here has playgrounds, swings, mini-railway, elephant and pony rides (weekends) etc for the kids. There is also a mini zoo with a sizeable collection of birds, deer's, peacocks etc. which gained statutory recognition as a medium zoo from the Central Zoo Authority in 1995. In addition there is a Snake Park established in 1972 with king cobras, pythons, vipers etc. Apart from snakes, certain species of tortoise and turtles- especially the endangered star turtle can be found here. There are also lizards, geckos, chameleons and the common Indian monitor lizard, as well as a large variety of insects and butterflies.
Raj Bhavan, the Governor's residence occupies one of the corners of the park. The beautiful forest area continues to the adjacent campus of the famous Indian Institute of Technology. Surrounding the park there are several other famous institutes such as the Anna University of Technology, Central Leather Research Institute, Cancer Institute and the Chennai race course. There are also memorials to India's great leaders, Mahatma Gandhi, K.Kamaraj and C.Rajagopalachari, Bakthavatchalam in the vicinity.
The park organizes Lecture-demonstrations regularly in languages like Tamil, Hindi and English. Though the park itself offers nothing much for a real wildlife enthusiast, the Snake Park is interesting. The park sums up a favourite picnic destination for the entire family especially school going children.
Timings: 9:00 am, to 5:30 p.m. Holiday: Tuesday.
Entry Fee : Below five years - Free, Children above five years and below 12 years - Rs.10.00, School Children (Age 5 to 12 years) from Government and aided Schools - Rs.2.00, School Children from Private Schools (Age 5 to 12 years) - Rs.10.00. Adult : 15.00.
Still Camera: Rs.25, Handy Camera / Video Camera - Rs.150, Charges for documentary educational films using Handy camera and Video Camera - Rs.2000.
Parking vehicle charges : Heavy vehicle : no fee, Motor car/van Rs. 15.00; Motor Cycle : Rs. 5
259, Anna Salai,
DMS Compound, IV Floor,
Teynampet,
Chennai 600 006
Phone : 044-24321471
Best time to visit: Open throughout the yearAnnual Rainfall : 1200 mm
Other Facilities : This national park encompass, a snake park and a Children' park as well.
How to get there : Rail-Chennai (3 km), Air-Chennai (3 km)
Main attraction: Black bucks
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.
The park with an area of 2.82 Sq. km has a strong historical background. Originally a game reserve of 400 hectares, it was owned by Gilbert Rodericks, a British citizen. When Gilbert died, in 1821 the Tamil Nadu government purchased it and the surrounding wooded property for a sum of Rs. 35,000/. The place was declared as reserved forests in 1910. The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru allotted a portion of the Guindy forest as a park for children. In 1958, it was handed over to the Forest department and in 1978 the entire forest area was declared as Guindy national park.
Guindy National park consists of various vegetation zones mainly tropical dry evergreen flora with over 350 species of plants including trees, shrubs, climbers, herbs and grasses. 24 varieties of trees including Amona Squamosa, Atlanta Monoplylla, Feronia Limonia, Azadirachta India and many others are found in this park.
The animals found here include spotted deer, black bucks (also known as Rare Indian Antelope found only in India), white bucks, river otter, hyena, bonnet monkey, civet cat, jackals, pangolin, hedgehog and common mongoose.
Birds which can be seen here are the black winged kite, the buzzard, olden Backed Woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, Yellow Wattled Lapwing, Red Wattled Lapwing, Blue Faced Malkoha, Shrikes, Koels, pariah kite, Minivets, Munias, Barkets, Parakeets, Grey Partridge, Tailor Birds, Robins, Drongos, Quails, Beak Paradise, Flycatcher, Stone Curlew and so on.
The Children's Park here has playgrounds, swings, mini-railway, elephant and pony rides (weekends) etc for the kids. There is also a mini zoo with a sizeable collection of birds, deer's, peacocks etc. which gained statutory recognition as a medium zoo from the Central Zoo Authority in 1995. In addition there is a Snake Park established in 1972 with king cobras, pythons, vipers etc. Apart from snakes, certain species of tortoise and turtles- especially the endangered star turtle can be found here. There are also lizards, geckos, chameleons and the common Indian monitor lizard, as well as a large variety of insects and butterflies.
Raj Bhavan, the Governor's residence occupies one of the corners of the park. The beautiful forest area continues to the adjacent campus of the famous Indian Institute of Technology. Surrounding the park there are several other famous institutes such as the Anna University of Technology, Central Leather Research Institute, Cancer Institute and the Chennai race course. There are also memorials to India's great leaders, Mahatma Gandhi, K.Kamaraj and C.Rajagopalachari, Bakthavatchalam in the vicinity.
The park organizes Lecture-demonstrations regularly in languages like Tamil, Hindi and English. Though the park itself offers nothing much for a real wildlife enthusiast, the Snake Park is interesting. The park sums up a favourite picnic destination for the entire family especially school going children.
Timings: 9:00 am, to 5:30 p.m. Holiday: Tuesday.
Entry Fee : Below five years - Free, Children above five years and below 12 years - Rs.10.00, School Children (Age 5 to 12 years) from Government and aided Schools - Rs.2.00, School Children from Private Schools (Age 5 to 12 years) - Rs.10.00. Adult : 15.00.
Still Camera: Rs.25, Handy Camera / Video Camera - Rs.150, Charges for documentary educational films using Handy camera and Video Camera - Rs.2000.
Parking vehicle charges : Heavy vehicle : no fee, Motor car/van Rs. 15.00; Motor Cycle : Rs. 5
How to Reach
Air
The Chennai airport is 8 kms away from the park. The airport has both domestic and international terminals and there are regular flights connecting Chennai with the major cities within the country and also with countries like USA, Singapore, U.K., etc.Rail
The nearest station is Guindy station (Suburban Track) 1 km away. Chennai Central station is 12 kms and Chennai Egmore is 9 kms away from the park. Chennai is well connected by rail with the important towns and cities within and beyond the state.Road
State transport buses and private buses connect Chennai with the major towns and cities within the country. Local trains, city buses, auto rickshaws and taxis are also available for local transportation.Contact Address
The Wildlife Warden,259, Anna Salai,
DMS Compound, IV Floor,
Teynampet,
Chennai 600 006
Phone : 044-24321471
General Information
Place: Guindy, Chennai, Tamil NaduBest time to visit: Open throughout the yearAnnual Rainfall : 1200 mm
Other Facilities : This national park encompass, a snake park and a Children' park as well.
How to get there : Rail-Chennai (3 km), Air-Chennai (3 km)
Main attraction: Black bucks
 Photo by : jpowers65 in flickr |
 Photo by : abhidg in flickr |
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 Photo by : Athi S in flickr |
 Photo by : Athi S in flickr |
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 Photo by : vallab104 in webshots |
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