Adyar poonga now called as Tholkappia Poonga

The Adyar river originates from Malaipattu tank near Manimangalam village in Sriperumbudur Taluk at about 15 km west of Tambaram and gains momentum as a stream from Chembarambakkam lake. It runs through Chennai for 42 km before draining into the Bay of Bengal, forming an estuary, which extends from the Adyar Bridge to the sandbar, with some small islets in-between. Just before joining the sea at a sand bar on the shore, one part of the river takes off northward beyond the Chettinad Palace as a small inlet of water forming a tidal creek. The creek takes a U-turn near Foreshore Estate. It surrounds what was formerly called Quibble Island, stopping short of completely encircling it. The estuary extends from the sandbar at the edge of the sea to the Adyar bridge, with small islands in between, and covers an area of about 300 acres. The low salinity, good shelters, calm conditions and high plankton availability in the Adyar creek serves as a good nursery for fish. The flow of tidal water in and out of the creek allowed for easy travel of boats. It therefore encouraged fishing and there was a thriving economy of fish trade here. However, with the city's sewage and effluence from its various industries, for some time, emptying into the river, the biological activities in the region was affected.

The works for setting up Adyar Poonga, that would have rich fauna, flora and green cover spreading over 300 acre, are on and it would be completed and opened to general public in December, 2010, said Tamilnadu Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin. The Deputy Chief Minister walked six kilometres as he inspected all the works at the upcoming project.

Speaking after inspecting the works at Adyar Poonga, Stalin said the land development process is now complete here. A centre to create awareness on environment would be set up soon. ‘The lakes are desilted and construction of buildings at a cost of Rs 19 crore are already on. A recreation centre for children is being constructed besides over 90,000 saplings have been planted here’.
The remaining 300 acre of land would be identified and a green zone would be established, he added.
‘Giving a fillip to the project is the increase in the number of fish, frogs, butterflies, dragonflies. The park would be a jewel in the crown of Chennai and would help a lot in maintaining the green environs of the city’, he added.
In a bid to take up ecological restoration of Adyar Estuary, the Tamilnadu government formed Adyar Poonga Trust in October 2006. It entrusted the work of preparing Ecological Restoration Plan for Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants, Auroville, in February 2007.
The Ecological Restoration Plan covers the extent of 358 acres, for which the State has sanctioned Rs 100 crore. After extensive studies and stakeholder consultations, a draft plan was made ready before the work began.
Among those who accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister include Chennai Mayor M Subramaniam, Chennai River Water Authority member – secretary K Paneendhra Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister’s secretary K Dheenabandhu, Pichandikulam Forest Consultant Josh Farookh and senior government officials.