Urban Wilderness: Guindy National Park’s Grassland Revival
- vidyarthee2021
- Apr 20
- 2 min read
The Guindy National Park, nestled in the heart of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is set to witness an ecological revival with efforts to restore its neglected grassland habitats. This initiative aims to boost the population of blackbucks, a species native to India and emblematic of its grassland ecosystems.
About Guindy National Park
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu (adjacent to Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s residence)
Unique Feature: One of the few national parks located within a metropolitan city
Size: 2.70 square kilometers – India’s 8th smallest national park
Flora and Fauna
Vegetation Types:
Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests
Thorn Forests
Grasslands (now under restoration)
Mammals:
Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) – Listed under:
IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
Spotted Deer, Indian Civet, and Mongoose
Birdlife:
Over 130 bird species, including:
Crow Pheasant
Tailor Bird
Shrike
Why Blackbuck Conservation Matters
Blackbucks are a keystone species of India’s grasslands.
Their conservation supports entire ecosystems, including predators and ground-nesting birds.
Guindy’s restoration aligns with India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Global Biodiversity Framework.
Relevance to UPSC
GS Paper 3: Biodiversity, Conservation Efforts, Protected Areas
Prelims: National Parks and their features
Essay: Urban biodiversity, ecological restoration, balancing development with conservation
UPSC Prelims MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding Guindy National Park:
It is located in the state of Karnataka.
Blackbuck found in the park is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Guindy is one of the few national parks located within a city.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect – The park is in Tamil Nadu, not Karnataka.
Statement 2 is correct – Blackbuck is protected under Schedule I.
Statement 3 is correct – Guindy is a rare example of an urban national park.
UPSC Mains Question
Q. Urban protected areas like Guindy National Park present unique challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation. Discuss the role of such parks in promoting ecological awareness and conserving threatened species within city limits.
Comentários