Devastated by Cyclone Gaja several months ago, Muthamizh Poonga at the popular tourist hotspot Sitthanavasal in the district has regained its lush green look.
Several trees of various species that were uprooted inside the sprawling park due to heavy winds, have been cleared by authorities maintaining the facility. Saplings of some species of trees have been planted inside the park in an effort to make up for uprooted ones.
Officials entrusted with the task of maintenance of the park say that over 50 well grown trees inside the lush green park, situated close to Sitthanavasal cave temple, were uprooted during Cyclone Gaja, which left a trail of destruction across Pudukottai district in November.
The park, which presented a devastated look at that time, was kept out of bounds for visitors as it was strewn with several uprooted trees. A portion of one of the gates was also damaged. Some of the trees also fell on the road leading to the park.
Officials first cleared the uprooted trees on the road leading to the park. Clearing the uprooted trees one after the other inside the park was even a bigger challenge, one necessitating prevention of entry of visitors, they said.
The work of clearing the uprooted trees was carried out steadily over a period of time and the park is open to visitors. All uprooted trees have been cleared and the chopped wooden logs have been kept at various locations within the park without causing hindrance to visitors’ movement.
Forest department officials inspected the park and an estimate will be made for auctioning the wooden logs.
A detailed proposal for overall development of Sitthanavasal tourist spot has been jointly conceived by Rural Development and Tourism departments and forwarded to the State government for sanction of funds, say district administration authorities.
The plan is to plant more tree saplings inside the park, provide restroom for visitors, replace damaged boats at the boat club situated closeby and instal lighting facility from the entrance of Sitthanavasal.
The park has been attracting about 200 to 300 visitors every day from nearby villages and other destinations. The footfall increases on weekends and ranges from 300 to 500, the officials said.
Boating at the pond has been temporarily suspended due to low water level.
