By N.Ravi, Gandhi Nagar.
Today, after a long interval, I visited the Adyar estuary and was pleasantly surprised to find it presenting a cleaner sight. The garbage, construction waste, and temporary workshop sheds had all been removed. As soon as I got out of the car, I could hear the cheerful chirping of birds—just like in the days of yore.
Being a weekday, there were very few vehicles (just one or two) and only a handful of walkers taking the walkway leading to the Broken Bridge. The area adjoining the Theosophical Society wall seemed to have been cleared, and there was no sign of people using it as an open toilet (save for one male). I could freely walk alongside and spot birds in the bushes and trees lining the wall.
There were a good number of Blue-tailed and Green Bee-eaters, White-browed and Red-vented Bulbuls, and sunbirds—including the Loten’s—busy flying all over the place. And, surprise of surprises, a pair of peahens and peacocks were coolly strutting around.
As I moved on towards the beach side, I was pleasantly surprised to see Kentish Plovers wading along the shore. On my walk back to the car, a lone bulldozer was making its way towards the Broken Bridge—looks like some unfinished business awaits this area.
The thought uppermost in my mind: Make hay while the sun shines. Sharing this representative snap to give an idea of what to expect.
