GREEN COVER IN TAMILNADU

Biodiversity and genetic resource conservation

The TAMILNADU State has a spectrum of forest vegetation types ranging from wet evergreen forests to moist deciduous, dry deciduous, sholas, grass lands and scrub forests. The Western Ghats, the longest hill range in the State is one of the global hotspots of bio-diversity and one of the three mega centres of endemism in India. Out of the 17,672 flowering plants recorded in India, Tamil Nadu accounts for 5,640 species, which gives it the pre-eminent position in angiosperm diversity. Many of these are endemic and red-listed species. Tamil Nadu has recorded 165 species of fresh water fishes, 76 species of amphibians, 177 species of reptiles, 454 species of birds and 187 species of mammals. Invaluable trees like Sandal, Teak and Rosewood and wildlife such as tiger, elephant, lion-tailed macaque, grizzled giant squirrel, Nilgiri Tahr and numerous rare species of fauna and innumerable species of flora including important medicinal plants are found in the forests of the State. Sanctuaries and National Parks have been established for conservation of flora and fauna under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Protected areas are repositories of biological resources to be preserved for posterity. Forest areas, which support viable population of flagship species, need to be brought gradually under protected area management to ensure better conservation status for the rare and endangered wildlife. In Tamil Nadu, 5,468 sq. kms. of land area (23.9% of forest area) has been brought under Protected Areas Network so far. There are 4 Tiger Reserves which support sizable population of tigers, 10 Wildlife sanctuaries, 14 Birds sanctuaries, 5 National Parks, one Conservation reserve and four Elephant Reserves. The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve is the only one of its kind in country. Habitat improvement and other developmental works are carried out in these National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Biosphere reserves under State forestry and centrally sponsored schemes. The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) assisted Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project (TBGP) is an important initiative in biodiversity conservation.

Western Ghats Development Programme

This scheme is being implemented in Coimbatore, Erode, Dindigul, Kanniyakumari, Madurai, Theni, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur and Virudhunagar districts to avoid the degradation of
forest eco-system and to improve the existing status of forests in the Western Ghats and to provide life support to the people. Activities like gap planting, fire prevention works, soil and moisture conservation works and anti-poaching measures have been carried out. During 2012-13, it has been implemented in identified watersheds with an outlay of Rs.4.14 crores, including establishment cost. It is proposed to implement this scheme during 2013-2014 with an outlay of Rs.3.69 crores.
Eco-restoration and conservation of Pallikaranai wetlands
Pallikaranai marsh land is the home of 112 species of birds, 21 species of reptiles, 9 species of amphibians, 46 species of fishes and 7 species of butterflies. In order to take up
ecological restoration and conservation of Pallikaranai wetlands at a cost of Rs.15.75 crores
over a period of five years from 2011-12 to 2015-16, this scheme has been sanctioned. During 2012-13, works like habitat improvement, protection, research and monitoring, publicity awareness etc. have been carried out at an outlay of Rs.5.00 crores. It is proposed to implement the scheme at an outlay of Rs.5.00 crores during 2013-2014.

Project Tiger

The Forest Department has taken various measures to conserve tigers and their habitats. The main objective of Project Tiger is to ensure a viable tiger population in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological reasons and to preserve this for all time. The importance of tiger conservation lies in the fact that the presence of this predator is an indicator of the health of an ecosystem. Presently, Government of India provides 100% assistance for key activities in Project Tiger areas like tiger habitat conservation, ecological development, protection, forest fire, control measures, moisture conservation, eco-tourism, human-wild conflict resolution and infrastructure development. The implementation outlay for 2012-13 is Rs.6.33 crores. During 2013-2014, it is proposed to implement this scheme at an outlay of Rs.6.56 crores.

Project Elephant

Tamil Nadu has the unique distinction of two major species - specific conservation programmes - the Project Tiger and Project Elephant that are being implemented with great success. Project Elephant scheme is implemented in four elephant reserves i.e. Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Anamalai and Periyar. With considerable population of elephants, Tamil Nadu is a leading State in elephants and their habitat management. Out of 24,000 elephants estimated in India, this State has a population of 4015 elephants. 100% Central assistance received every year from Government of India for this scheme. The scheme is being implemented to protect the elephants and improve their habitats. Activities like fire protection measures, water facilities to elephants, payment of compensation to the damages caused to crops and loss of human lives caused by elephant etc., erection of solar
fence to control the Man-animal conflict have been carried out at an outlay of Rs.2.61 crores during 2012-2013. During 2013-2014, it is proposed to implement this scheme at an outlay of
Rs.2.87 crores

Butterfly Park and Nakshatra Vanam

During 2012-13, the scheme of Establishment of Butterfly Park and Nakshatra Vanam near Upper Anaicut Reserve Forest of Tiruchirapalli Forest Division over an extent of 10 ha. was sanctioned at a cost of Rs.7.35 Crores. This scheme is sanctioned to attract the pilgrims and tourist and also to conserve butterfly species. This scheme will be continued during the year 2013-14 also.

SOURCE: State Forest Department