State gets gene bank for native tree species

The park was inaugurated by Minister of Forests Dindigul C Sreenivasan on Thursday morning, marking the centenary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Forest Research Institute in Kolapakkam. 

Developed on 20 acres of land adjacent to Aringnar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, the park was set up at a cost of Rs 2 crores, following the announcement by the former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in the Assembly in 2016. 

The park has 300 rare species of trees from the Eastern and Western Ghats. Some of the important and common tree species are Sandhanam (Santalum album), Thekku (Teak), Etti (Strychnos nux-vomica), Karuvembu (Garuga pinnata) and Ashokam (Saraca indica). 

Stressing on the importance of such an initiative, an official from the Forest Department said, “The hill areas of Eastern and Western Ghats have special trees, mandating the conservation of genetic material. Since global warming changes the climatic condition, certain species may be extinct from the wild. But if we could establish a few trees of these species in an alternate location, it could be preserved. As it is in a research park, the spores will be monitored, along with providing the ideal condition in an enclosed area.” 

The tree park is designed in a manner to ensure adequate water supply by channelling the rainwater flowing from the hill in Vandalur through canals and four check-dams (to store water for use in summer season) for the park’s use. Drip irrigation, too, has been implemented. 

“Currently, 300 species have been planted in the park, out of which 275 are thriving well. Some delicate species are struggling to grow but we are working on it. Even if there is one tree from a particular species, it can immensely help save the genetic material from extinction,” said the official, adding that the park has 15 species of bamboo and almost eight varieties of palms. 

The tree park would be useful for researchers working on flora around the Eastern and Western Ghats, as it has a separate facility. Shortly, the park will be opened to the public (ticketed at Rs 5 per head) till 5 pm daily.