TamilNadu Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin inspecting the works at the Adyar Poonga.
The first phase of Adyar Poonga project will be inaugurated on 3rd January 2011 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, according to Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Inspecting the work on Saturday, Mr. Stalin said 90 per cent of the first phase of the project had been completed.
A total of Rs.18.74 crore had so far been spent for the Adyar Poonga, which would be a good carbon sink for the city, the project would also help replenish groundwater. A total of 200 vertebrates and 200 invertebrates had been spotted in the park.

A total of 1.36 lakh saplings were planted and work was under way on solar-powered lights. Information boards on flora and fauna of the park were being installed.

Landscaping, seating facilities, small wooden bridges and a chunk of the work on roads and pathways stretching 4 km on the 58-acre campus had been completed. Over 1,000 signboards would be installed in the park. Work on an environmental education centre, gallery and nursery was also completed. One fourth of the 58-acre poonga would be the conservation zone to which public would have no access.

The plan for the remaining 300-acre of the park had also been prepared and work would start in January, said Mr. Stalin.

Recently more than 100 species of birds, 56 species of butterflies, 25 species of reptiles and 30 different species of fish have been seen within the park. White-bellied sea eagle for the first time in these parts was spotted a month ago. Flamingos and painted stork have also returned here. This richness in biodiversity is an indication of the success of this park.