The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Where they walk in communion with nature

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 18, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Where they walk in communion with nature

J. Malarvizhi

— Photo: V. Ganesan

GREEN AVENUES: Morning walkers enjoy a stroll down Pilkington Road, Perambur.

CHENNAI: Private and government institutions in the city contribute a large percentage of its green cover. For the elderly, the fitness-conscious and those who believe in the healing power of communion with nature, they also offer a safe and pollution-free walking environment.

While most of these are concentrated in south Chennai, a few colleges in the north and central areas of the city also extend this facility to walkers. Theosophical Society, Kalakshetra Foundation, Government Museum, Egmore, and the YMCA campus, Saidapet, are some of the institutions that allow limited numbers of walkers for specific hours of the day. Some institutions require a certificate of health or proof of identity, according to senior citizens.

T.S. Parvati, a Tiruvanmiyur resident, looks forward to her morning walk on an institution campus. “It is wonderful to live in a metropolitan area and still have access to green spaces,” she says.

Nizhal is a two-year old non-governmental organisation working to improve awareness of trees. It organises ‘tree-walks’ during the Madras Week celebrations inside the Government Museum campus in Egmore and the Guindy National Park. “The Gulmohar tree, for instance, is an exotic species. While beautiful in flower, the tree is also brittle and tends to break easily. Institutions should budget for trees appropriate to the location and for maintenance of these trees,” says G. Dattatri, advisor, Nizhal, and former Chief Urban Planner, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.

He finds his morning walks inside an institution, free from traffic and pollution, ‘an exhilarating experience.’

While the Corporation says it maintains 230 parks, residents estimate that the number of parks large enough for brisk walk in the morning is only around 50.

Anna Park in Royapuram, Gandhi Park in Perambur, Dr.Visweshwariah Tower Park in Anna Nagar, May Day Park in Chintadripet, Independence Day Park in Nungambakkam, Panagal Park in T.Nagar, Dr.M.G.R.Park in K.K.Nagar and Dr.Nageshwara Rao Park in Mylapore find honourable mention in the local body’s website and from users.

Residents near the Railway Quarters beneath Mint Flyover, Ayanavaram and Sterling Road, Nungambakkam, appreciate the efforts of the Railways to keep these areas green.

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