The Genetic Heritage Garden, an ecological park, showcasing geographical divisions of Tamil Nadu, developed at a cost of Rs. 7.28 crore, is all set for inauguration.
The much-hyped park developed by Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Agency with eye-catching thematic elements on a 10-acre area at Achadipirambu on East Coast Road (ECR) near here might be thrown open to the public by March-end, official sources said. After the government identified the land in October 2010, the Agency developed the garden, representing ‘Paalai’ (parched wasteland and desert), one of the five landscapes defined in ancient Sangam literature.
The garden with beautiful landscaping promised to provide an ideal space for the people of the district to relax and enjoy the evenings. Though the park has to reflect the Paalai landscape concept, “we have added more greenery,” official sources said. The park, located on the outskirts of the town, is expected to be one among the major tourist attraction in the district. The park should have been developed and thrown open to the public by November 2012, but it hit some roadblocks after the agency found the groundwater completely salty and not much vegetation could be grown there.
The Collector, who is the chairman of the review committee, provided two farm ponds to store rainwater to be used in the park. The circular Gazebo huts, sand dunes, oasis, tensile-roofed food court and stone caves would be the major attractions in the park.
The park has a long pathway for visitors to go around. While walking around, they could take rest in aesthetically designed thatched-roof Gazebo huts. Ten such huts have been put up with palm trunks and the roof had coconut and palm leaves in layers. The oasis, sand dunes and desert plants like cactus would provide an ideal backdrop. Shade and flowering trees and ornamental plants are added attractions.
The circular Gazebo huts, sand dunes, oasis, tensile-roofed food court and stone caves to be
major attractions
