Thu Sep 12 15:56:00 UTC 2024: ## Guindy National Park’s Polo Ground: A Vital Grazing Ground for Blackbucks Faces Neglect
**Chennai, September 12, 2024:** Concerns are growing over the neglected state of the polo ground within the Guindy National Park (GNP) complex, which is crucial for the survival of blackbucks, a Schedule I protected species. Environmentalists warn that the ground, the only open grassland available for grazing within the complex, has been overrun by invasive species, leaving the blackbucks with dwindling resources.
T. Murugavel, an environmentalist, attributes the neglect to a recent boundary dispute between the Raj Bhavan and GNP, resulting in the abandonment of maintenance. He highlights the complete infestation of the polo ground by weeds and invasive species, destroying the vital grassland ecosystem.
R.J. Ranjit Daniels, founder-trustee of Care Earth Trust, explains that blackbucks, unlike spotted deer, thrive on dry grasslands and require minimal water, making the polo ground crucial for their survival. The expansion of forested areas within the GNP has left the polo ground as the last remaining grassland suitable for blackbucks.
Despite these concerns, Kirlosh Kumar, Secretary to the Governor, assures that sufficient grazing ground is available within both the GNP and Raj Bhavan campus. He promises to consult with forest officials and take remedial action if necessary, noting the free movement of animals between the two areas due to the lack of a compound wall.
Environmentalists, however, remain concerned about the neglected state of the polo ground, urging immediate action to restore the grassland and ensure the continued survival of the blackbuck population within the Guindy National Park.
First Piper 