CM Stalin inaugurates renovated Guindy National Park

CHENNAI: A new look Guindy Children's Park, a favourite hangout of the kids in the city, was declared open by Chief Minister M K Stalin here on Saturday.

Renovated at a cost of Rs 30 crore to raise awareness among kids on forests and wildlife, the Guindy Children's Park has been transformed into a nature park with birds, butterflies and animals in accordance with an announcement made in the 2022-23 budget of the state government.

The Chief Minister also flagged off nine all-terrain vehicles that could be deployed for fighting wildfire and rescuing wild animals.

The renovated park would consist of a bird cage measuring 2,800 square meters to accommodate large aquatic birds, wildlife awareness centre, LED screens to educate people about animals and birds and library, aesthetic façade, fountains and selfie point in addition to children's play area and storm water drain water facilities.

Two food courts, drinking water and modern toilets besides parking facilities have been created in the renovated park, one of the favourite tourist attractions in the city which registers a footfall of up to eight lakh persons per year.

A government release issued by the state information department Saturday said that over 60,000 students belonging to schools from Chennai and adjoining areas take part in the events hosted in the park.

State higher education minister K Ponmudi, health minister Ma Subramanian, forest minister M Mathiventhan and Chennai Mayor R Priya were among those who took part in the inauguration.