Sponge parks
▪ Three major open spaces in Chennai — Elango Nagar in Padi, Secretariat Colony in Thoraipakkam and an open space reservation site near Vyasarpadi Jeeva Railway Station — are to be developed into sponge parks by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA).
▪ The project will be part of Blue-Green Infrastructure plan announced in the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025–26.
▪ Sponge parks are engineered wetlands designed to mimic natural ecosystems by absorbing, storing, and filtering rainwater, helping to manage stormwater and mitigate urban flooding.
Chola-era Ardhanarisvara Sculpture
▪ A 1,000-year-old stone sculpture of Ardhanarisvara, which was stolen from the
Viruddhagireeswarar temple in Vriddhachalam, will be put on public display at the temple.
▪ The sculpture is considered a significant example of Chola artistry, which flourished from the 9th to the 13th century CE.
▪ The sculpture depicts Ardhanarisvara, a composite form of the Hindu deities Shiva and his consort, Parvati.
The second synchronized survey of Nilgiri Tahr
▪ According to the survey report released recently, a Nilgiri tahr was sighted at Chinnaattumalai after a decade.
▪ This indicates a potential recovery of this habitat and dispersal of the species to the connected
landscape.
▪ The population was nil in last years’s synchronised survey.
▪ The survey mentions that Kurudimalai is a historical habitat, with its description as a home for a herd of mountain goats found in Thiruppugazh, written by the Tamil saint-poet Arunagirinathar.
▪ The report says forest fires, pilgrimage, and invasive species are major threats to the Nilgiri tahr habitats in the division.
▪ It states the isolated Nilgiri tahr population (nine) in the division is connected to Kerala’s Elival Mala region
