Protected areas of Tamil Nadu

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Tamil Nadu State in South India covers an area of 130,058 km² (50,215 mi²). It includes a wide range of Biomes, extending east from the South Western Ghats montane rain forests through the South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests and Deccan thorn scrub forests to tropical dry broadleaf forests and then to the beaches, estuaries, salt marshes, mangroves, and coral reefs of the Bay of Bengal.
Most protected areas throughout its 30 Districts are under the stewardship of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (India) and the Tamil Nadu Dept. of Forests^[1]
Creation and administration of Protected areas in South India originated with the Maharajas of the Southern princely states' private hunting grounds. The Mudumalai National Park, established in 1940, was the first modern Wildlife Sanctuary in South India.

Contents 1 Biosphere Reserves: 2 National Parks: 3 Wildlife Sanctuaries: 4 Elephant Sanctuaries 5 Bird Sanctuaries 6 Tiger Reserves 7 Reserved Forests 8 Zoos and Crocodile Farms 9 Other Protected areas 10 Regional Cooperation 11 References 12 External links 13 See also

[edit] Biosphere Reserves:

Two Biosphere Reserves in Tamil Nadu are among four in India and ninety five in Asia that are part of UNESCO's Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB)
Listing by size:

• The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, is 10500 km² located in the Indian part of the Gulf of Mannar between the Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka Coasts. Est. 1989.
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills. The reserve encompasses 5,520 km² in the states of Tamil Nadu (2537.6 km²), Karnataka (1527.4 km²) and Kerala (1455.4 km²).
• Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR) was Established in 2001 and includes 1701 km². Inclusion of adjoining areas of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu is under consideration. ABR is awaiting approval as participant in the UNESCO-Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

[edit] National Parks:

Tamil nadu has 5 declared National Parks with a total area of 307.84 km² covering only 0.24% of the state. This is the third lowest % area covered of all indian states and Union territories.^[2]

1. Indira Gandhi National Park (previously: Annamalai National Park), 117.10 km², Est. 1989.
2. Mudumalai National Park 103.24 km², Est. 1990
3. Mukurthi National Park 78.46 km²,^[3] Est. 1990
4. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park 6.23 km², Est. 1980
5. Guindy National Park 2.82 km², Est. 1976

• Palani Hills National Park 736.87 km² (PRO) is a proposed upgrade of the Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary being established in 2007.

[edit] Wildlife Sanctuaries:

• Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous with Indira Gandhi National Park. The 841.49 km² forest varies from dry deciduous to semi-evergreen, evergreen and montane wet temperate containing Teak, Rose wood and many miscellaneous tropical species. Animals, including Indian Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Dhole, Nilgiri Langur, Lion-tailed Macaque, Sambar, Four horned Antelope, Chital and a host of birds, notably the Trogar, Pied Hornbill and several types of Eagles may be seen.

• Srivilliputhur, a 485km².2Giant Squirrel Sanctuary in Virudhunagar district consisting of mainly dry deciduous forests with patches of tropical evergreen forests, Semi-evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous forests and grassland. Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Tree Shrew, Elephant, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, mouse deer, barking deer, many species of birds may be seen.
• Mundanthurai Sanctuary 282.08km² is part of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
• Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary in Tirunelveli District consists of 223.58km² mostly tropical wet evergreen forests which change to tropical dry deciduous forests in the foothills and to thorn forests further down. This sanctuary is famous for Lion-tailed macaque. All four species (common Langur, Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaque and lion tailed Macaque) can be seen. Kalakkad is part of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve‎. Other animals include Nilgiri tahr, sambar, sloth bear, gaur, Indian elephant, tiger, flying squirrel, panther, Dhole, pangolin and a variety of birds and reptiles.

• Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Nilgiris district is contiguous with Mudumalai National Park. It consists of 217.76km² primarily moist deciduous forest which becomes dry deciduous towards Bandipur including mainly mixed forests with bamboos. Animals including Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Chital, Dhole Panther, Tiger, Sloth bear, Python, Barking deer, Four horned antelope, common Langur, Otter, Crocodiles (mugger) and a variety of birds and reptiles may be seen.
• Point Calimere, a 17.26km² Bird Sanctuary In Thanjavur district, consists of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests and mangroves. The sanctuary is famous for its flamingos and Black Buck Antelope. A large variety of water birds including Teals, Gulls, Terns, Plovers and Stilts can be seen during winter months. Mammals include Chital, Wild Boar. The water birds of the great swamp and the dolphins and turtles that often come close to the shore are important attractions.
• Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary, a 16.41 km² Black Buck Antelope sanctuary in Thoothukudi District is a Scrub forest where Black Buck, Spotted deer, macaques, Jungle cat, Mongoose, and Hares may be seen.
• Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary is a consolidation of several Reserve forests located in the 2068 km² Palni Hills. The Forest Department is working to establish the sanctuary in 2007^[4]

[edit] Elephant Sanctuaries

Tamil Nadu is a major participant in Project Elephant. It has 5 Elephant Sanctuaries covering 2489 km² with 6776 Elephants enumerated in 2005, 19 Elephant corridors and 4 inter-state corridors linking to Elephant Sanctuaries in Karnataka.^[5] There are 14 Forest Dept. Divisions containing Elephants.^[6]

• Nilgiri Elephant Reserve, 4663 km², Protected area 716 km², Elephant population 1938, contiguous with Wayanad Reserve in Kerala, Mysore reserve in Karnataka and Rayala reserve in Andhra Pradesh, established 2003.
• Coimbatore Elephant Reserve, 566 km², Protected area 482 km², Elephant population 132, contiguous with Nilambur Reserve in Kerala, established 2003.
• Anamalai Elephant Reserve 1457 km², Protected area 300 km², Elephant population 680, contiguous with Anamalai Reserve in Kerala, established 2003.
• Srivilliputtur Elephant Reserve, 1249 km², Protected area 568 km², Elephant population 223, contiguous with Periyar Reserve in Kerala, established 2002.
• Rejuvenation Camp for Temple and Private Elephants of Tamilnadu, 5 ha, Mudumalai Sanctuary was chosen as location of the rejuvenation camp because it operates the finest elephant camp in the country with 26 elephants belonging to the Forest Department. 55 elephants are participating in the rejuvenation camp. established 2003.

[edit] Bird Sanctuaries

• Vettangudi, is 34.4 ha Bird Sanctuary near Thirupattur in Sivaganga district. The sanctuary has attracted more than 8,000 migratory birds belonging to 217 species, mostly from European and North Asian countries. The species included white ibis, Asian openbill stork and night heron. It has also attracted indigenous, endangered species such as painted stork, grey heron, darter, little cormorant, little egret, intermediate egret, cattle egret, common teal, spotbills, pintail and flamingos. The Government has allotted Rs. 9 lakhs for the Vettangudi Sanctuary to improve infrastructure for tourists.
• Rs. 6 lakhs has also been allotted to provide infrastructure in the Chitrankudi, Kanjirankulam and Melaselvanur sanctuaries.^[7]
• Vedanthangal and Karikili Bird Sanctuaries
• Kanjirankulam, Chitrangudi and Vettangudi Water Bird Sanctuaries
• Pulicat Bird Sanctuary 461.02km² is the second largest brackish-water eco-system on the East Coast of India. Many Greater Flamingos can be seen here.
• Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
• Vadavur Bird Sanctuary^[8].

[edit] Tiger Reserves

• Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve - Established in 1962, this 900 km² reserve in Tirunelveli district is now part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. It was adopted by Project Tiger in 1988.^[9] The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) has developed and implemented a conservation intervention program here.^[10] A comprehensive report on the history, flora & fauna, ecology and future of the reserve is available^[11] or.^[12]
• Mukurthi National Park 78.46km²

[edit] Reserved Forests

Main article: Reserved forests and protected forests of India

Forests cover over 17% of the state's geographical area. ^[13]
Satellite views:Godumalai Reserved Forest, Gir Forest,Kanjamalai Reserved Forest,Semmalai Reserved Forest, Tirttamalai Reserved Forest.

• Ajjampati Reserved Forest
• Arasadi Arivetti Reserved Forest
• Ayyur Reserved Forest
• Bailnad Reserved Forest
• Belur Reserved Forest
• Bothakkadu Reserved Forest
• Chitteri Extension Reserved Forest
• Chitteri Reserved Forest
• Godumalai Reserved Forest
• Jadaa Gaundan Slopes Reserved Forest
• Jalluttu Reserved Forest
• Karavallikkombai Reserved Forest
• Kottappatti Reserved Forest
• Kuttar Extension Reserved Forest
• Lokur Reserved Forest
• Manmalai Reserved Forest
• Mattikottai Reserved Forest
• Mavar Reserved Forest
• Nagalur Reserved Forest
• Nochikuttai Reserved Forest
• Paittur Reserved Forest
• Pallippatti Reserved Forest
• Parigam Reserved Forest
• Sittilingi Reserved Forest
• Takari Reserved Forest
• Thombal Reserved Forest
• Toppur Reserved Forest
• Varagur Reserved Forest

A useful source naming many Reserve forests is detailed Topographic Maps of India.^[14]

[edit] Zoos and Crocodile Farms

Zoos:^[15]

• Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai
• Amirthi Zoo in Vellore Division
• Kurumbapatti Recreation Centre in Salem division
• Deer Park at The Nilgiris

There are 4 Crocodile farms in Tamil Nadu under the control of Forest Department.^[16]

• Hogenakkal Crocodile farm in Dharmapuri Division.
• Kurumbapatti Crocodile farm in Salem Division.
• Amaravati Sagar Crocodile Farm in Pollachi Division.
• Sathanur Dam Crocodile farm in Tirupattur Division.

and

• A private Herpetology research station, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust was established in 1976 for the conservation and study of India's three endangered Crocodilians: the Mugger Crocodile, the Gharial, and the Saltwater Crocodile. Thousands of these reptiles have been reintroduced into the wild.

[edit] Other Protected areas

• Conservation reserves and community reserves:
• Communal forests:
• Private protected areas:
• Conservation areas:

[edit] Regional Cooperation

The Forest Ministers of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, senior officials of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, Forest Secretaries of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Special Secretary for Forests, Andhra Pradesh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, together with the senior forest officials of these states and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, met at Thiruvananthapuram on November 3 and 4, 2006 and resolved several mutual issues concerning conservation and protection of forests and wildlife of the region. This formalization of interstate cooperation on protected areas administration will improve effectiveness in the areas of: daily staff communication including common wireless frequencies, joint enforcement action, boundary survey and demarcation, management of cross border resources like Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Tiger reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries, technology, staff and intelligence sharing and coordinated communication with the Govt. of India, especially allotting more funds for conservation and forestation activities of State Forest Departments during the Twelfth Plan which is now being prepared by the Union Government. A regular conference of the forest ministers and forest officials of the southern states will now be held once a year, in rotation in each State. The next meeting will be held at Bangalore in 2007.^[17]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Tamil Nadu Department of Forests
• United Nations List of National Parks and Protected Areas: India (1993)
• Ministry of Forests and Environment Protected Areas
• Ministry of Environment and Forests, 2006 Report

[edit] See also

• Protected areas of West Bengal
• Protected areas of Himachal Pradesh