Tranquil Oasis in the City: Exploring Chetpet Eco Park

By -

Chetpet Eco Park offers an array of delights for all who visit its serene grounds. Spanning 16 acres, with a picturesque 9-acre lake, this oasis is under the care of the Department of Fisheries, formally inaugurated in February 2016.

Delving into its history, we find that the roots of this park trace back to the early 1900s, when Sir Frederick Nicholson and Sir Alfred Chatterton envisioned industrialization for the Madras Presidency. Nicholson championed fisheries, leading to the eventual stewardship of Chetpet lake by the Fisheries Department in the 1930s.



The journey towards the park's eco-restoration began in the early 2000s, gaining momentum after Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's announcement in April 2013, earmarking ₹42 crore for the project. Today, the lake, with a current depth of 13 feet, owes its replenishment to a tertiary sewage treatment plant, releasing 20,000 litres of treated water daily.

As visitors meander along the pathways, they are greeted by a verdant landscape dotted with statues of wildlife, live ducks, and playful kittens. A quaint bridge spans the lake, offering a charming view of a tiny island crowned by a majestic tree. This serene sight, a stark contrast to the bustling Poonamallee High Road nearby, often captures the attention of excited children and weary travelers alike.



For those seeking a bit of adventure, the lake beckons with its divided sections. Anglers can try their luck in the three-acre fishing zone stocked with catla, rohu, and tilapia. Alternatively, visitors can opt for a leisurely pedal boat ride, operated by a private party offering 20 boats for an enchanting journey across the tranquil waters.

Chetpet Eco Park truly embodies the harmony between nature and recreation, inviting all to unwind, explore, and bask in the tranquility of its scenic surroundings.

Happy travelling.

Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Tallest Murugan of Chennai

By -
Image
Consecrated in March 2021, the 40 feet high Bala Murugan icon at Saveetha Medical College campus is the tallest image of Murugan in Chennai. Malaysia has 140 feet tall Murugan. In April 2022, the 146 feet tall image of Murugan was consecrated near Salem in Tamil Nadu. However, they are all stucco images. But, the one that we find on the college campus is a monolithic granite icon. Thus, it is the tallest stone icon of Murugan in the entire world. A stone weighing 320 tonnes was brought from Siruvambur near Wallajah, and it was carved to 140 tonnes to get this beautiful and gigantic sculpture. The entire temple complex is designed in the shape of the Devanagiri letter "Om", which can be appreciated in the aerial view.  The west-facing gigantic sculpture is located atop the star-shaped pedestal. It dominates the entire landscape. A large meditation hall is situated below the pedestal. On the open corridor in front of the presiding deity, smaller shrines are found. They enshrine...
Read more

Little known Nimishamba Temple of Chennai

By -
Image
Site Name:  Nimishamba Temple Site Type:  Hindu Temple Location:   Kasi Chetty Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   A rare temple of Nimishamba in Chennai city Nearest Railway Station:   Chennai - well connected from the cities/towns all over India Nearest Airport:   Chennai has both national and international airports How to reach:   Easily reachable by road as this is centrally located in the city Hotel:  Many star hotels, luxury hotels/resorts, and budget hotels are available in Chennai Restaurants:  All options - vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Chinese, South Indian, Gujarati, North Indian, Punjabi,....- you can find everything in Chennai city Chennai is considered as the gateway to South India. The capital city of Tamil Nadu state of India has hundreds of tourist sites which include museum, British period monuments, temples, beach, etc. Let us explore a little known temple called Nimisham...
Read more

Hastinapuram Navapashanam Murugan Temple

By -
Image
Navapashanam is an amalgam of nine poisonous herbs. It is said to act as a remedy for all types of diseases. It is believed that the Siddhas knew the secret formula to prepare this medicinal potion.  The sculpture of Murugan from the famous Palani is claimed to be made of Navapashanam. Similarly, there is a lesser-known temple near Chennai, which has a Navapashanam Murugan. In Hastinapuram near Chrompet in the southern outskirts of Chennai, in a congested lane called Masjid Street, this tiny temple of Bala Murugan is situated. Murugan, made of Navapashanam, is the presiding deity.  Jalakandeeswara Linga, Meenakshi, and the Siddha who found this temple are the other Murtis found in the temple. Happy travelling.
Read more