Greening Puzhal: A Journey from Encroachment and Waste to a Vibrant Forest

The 23,000 sq. ft. land on the banks of Puzhal Lake in Thiruvallur, once a dumping ground for garbage and waste, had long been neglected and dismissed as barren wasteland. Surrounded by invasive weeds, it routinely became a garbage dump during the monsoons. The site also faced encroachment issues, further degrading the landscape and threatening its ecological potential. To address this situation, the government initially attempted to create a dense forest in partnership with the SWOTT NGO. 

At that time, Thuvakkam was creating and maintaining urban forests across Chennai. Mr. Sameer, President of SWOTT, introduced the land to Thuvakkam. Subsequently, the then District Collector, Dr. Alby John Varghese, IAS, extended his support to the initiative. He granted official permission for the project and facilitated key infrastructure required for long-term sustainability—such as borewells, pipelines, electricity, and fencing. New infrastructure development is also currently being undertaken by the government to enhance the site further. 

An initial survey revealed that the soil fertility was critically low. To restore its health, invasive weeds were cleared, and the soil was enriched with organic manure and cocopeat. On March 27, 2022, Thuvakkam planted 4,730 saplings across more than 45 indigenous species, including neem, neermaruthu, teak, athi, venkai, and iluppai. 

This initiative extended beyond tree planting. As part of Thuvakkam’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement, 14 events were conducted at the Puzhal Miyawaki Forest. These included plantation drives, Environment Week celebrations, tree care programs, and knowledge-sharing sessions. A total of 457 volunteers—including corporate employees, government officials, students, and residents—contributed 1,077.83 volunteer hours, demonstrating a strong commitment to urban forest development. Thuvakkam also collaborated with five CSR partners—Full Creative, Firstsource, RRD, Bank of Baroda, and Saipem—who actively engaged in the project, helping strengthen its long-term impact. Through these activities, the initiative reached more than 4,050 individuals, including 1,010 children and youth who were directly engaged and educated on environmental protection and sustainable practices. 

After three years of consistent maintenance, the impact has been remarkable. More than 63.29% of the saplings have survived and flourished, leading to a significant improvement in cation exchange capacity and organic matter. The forest now sequesters approximately 23.73 metric tons of CO₂ annually and filters 2.84 to 4.74 tons of PM10 pollutants from the air. Biodiversity has flourished, with over 35+ species of birds, butterflies, insects, and bees now thriving in the area. Native plant species have reappeared, transforming the land into a sanctuary for flora and fauna. In addition to reviving the air and ecosystem, the forest has also enriched the soil with essential minerals. 

Indian Green Lynx Spider

Photos from Biodiversity mapping by Mr. Sathya, Suzhal Arivom NGO and Mr. Sundar, Thuvakkam NGO.

The journey has not been without challenges. Cyclones Michaung (2023) and Fengal (2024) caused damage to some saplings. Nevertheless, the maintenance team responded with resilience—strengthening the trees, applying organic fertilizers, and adopting eco-friendly pest management practices. 

In recognition of its transformative impact, Thuvakkam received the Green Champion Award 2022 for restoring this degraded land into a thriving green space. 

Today, the once barren land has been reborn as a self-sustaining urban forest. Beyond improving Chennai’s air quality and microclimate, it now serves as a green classroom for children and a model for climate-resilient urban planning. The Puzhal Miyawaki Forest is more than a collection of trees—it is living proof that with care, collaboration, and community spirit, even the most neglected landscapes can be transformed into thriving green havens for future generations. 

Article by: Sundar, M&E Assessor, Thuvakkam NGO.