Tamil Nadu records 397 wetland bird species, 401 terrestrial bird species in synchronised survey
The wetland survey revealed that 397 species are directly or indirectly associated with wetlands. Notably, 136 long-distance migratory species were observed, making up 34% of the total species recorded.
Key bird species observed in wetlands include the Greylag Goose, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Curlew, Pied Avocet, and Lesser Crested Tern. Surveys were conducted across 934 wetland sites, with all forest divisions instructed to cover approximately 20 locations per district. In terms of species richness, the districts of Coimbatore, Erode, and Dindigul recorded more than 200 species each.
1,093 locations covered
The terrestrial survey covered 1,093 locations across urban, rural, and protected areas, again aiming for around 20 spots per forest division. The survey identified 401 bird species associated with terrestrial habitats, with 2,32,519 individual birds directly counted.
Of the birds identified, 41% are long-distance migrants, and 6% are either partial migrants or local migrants. Noteworthy species recorded include the Ashambu Laughingthrush, Indian Nightjar, Black and Orange Flycatcher, Lesser Fish-Eagle, Nilgiri Pipit, Brown Fish-Owl, and the Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon.
Speaking about the importance of biodiversity conservation, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, stressed that it must be addressed in conjunction with climate change, human impact, and habitat preservation. She noted that in the past four years, over two lakh hectares of forest areas have now been brought under legal protection. 7,000 hectares of new forest areas have been created, which contributes significantly to the protection of both habitats and species, she said.
During the event, the Minister also distributed awards to forest officials and divisions, along with non-governmental organisations, for their significant contributions. Headmasters of tribal schools managed by the Forest Department were honoured for achieving the highest pass percentages.
The event was attended by senior forest officials including Srinivas R. Reddy (PCCF & Head of Forest Force), Mita Banerjee (PCCF, Research & Education), Rakesh Kumar Dogra (PCCF & Chief Wildlife Warden), Debasis Jana (PCCF, Administration), and I. Anwardeen (PCCF & Chief Project Director).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Kaziranga mourns Mohanmala's loss after five decades of service
Guwahati: A trusted colleague, a flood-time saviour and a symbol of loyalty and courage, 80-year-old Mohanmala was all that and much more. As the country was gearing up on Thursday to celebrate it's 79th Independence Day, KNPTR mourned the loss of their most beloved elephant due to old age-related issues. Mohanmala served KNPTR for more than five decades, working across different ranges and playing an active role in anti-poaching operations. She aided the staff in the most difficult terrains and situations, officials added. Her last rites were performed at Mihimukh in the presence of forest officials, who gave her a gun salute. "Kaziranga bids farewell to its beloved departmental elephant Mohanmala, who passed away peacefully due to old age. Part of Kaziranga family since 1970, she was a fearless flood-time saviour, anti-poaching ally & symbol of loyalty. Her courage & legacy will live on," KNPTR authority wrote in its social media post. Mohanmala was brought to Kaziranga on May 17,1970, from Kamrup during the tenure of the then PCCF, Durga Prasad Neog and was retired from active departmental duties in 2003. Over the past five decades, Mohanmala served the park with exceptional dedication, becoming an inseparable part of it's conservation history. Known for her fearlessness, obedience and docile temperament, Mohanmala was an excellent swimmer. "At times when even forest frontline staffs could not reach their camps by boat or carry out their patrolling duties, it was Mohanmala who carried them on her back, ensuring critical duties were never disrupted," field director Sonali Ghosh said. During her service, she gave birth to two female calves — Malati, who passed away at the young age of 17 years, and another calf who tragically died just three days after birth, falling prey to a tiger. "Her decades of service will remain etched in the park's history and her absence will be deeply felt by all who worked alongside her," KNPTR said in a release. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Farmers, activists oppose move to set up sand quarry at Mangammalpuram
Farmers, environmental activists and local residents on Wednesday strongly opposed the move of the Water Resources Department (WRD) to set up a sand quarry at Mangammalpuram on the water course of the Kollidam river. As per the proposal, the sand quarry will have an area measuring 200 hectares on the river course near Anbil in Lalgudi Taluk in Tiruchi district. It is proposed to excavate 5,00,000 m3 of sand by opencast mechanised mining method without drilling and blasting. Sand will be transported by 10/20 tonnes. The sand will be loaded directly to the trucks/ lorries to nearby approved Government Sand Depot for transportation to the needy customers. The trucks will be loaded by excavators in direct supervision of the Assistant/ Junior Engineers of the Water Resources Department. The life of the mining period will be two years. However, farmers and environmental activists expressed their strong reservations to the quarry at the public hearing conducted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) at Anbil near here. R.S. Mugilan, coordinator, Cauvery Protection Movement, who participated in the hearing, said there should not be any drinking water project within 500 meters radius of any mining activity. There were six drinking water projects in close vicinity of the proposed quarry. It would adversely impact the drinking water projects and the environment. Mining plan for the quarry was prepared in 2022. It was wrong to seek the opinions and views for the three-year-old mining plan as it would not reflect the current picture of the quarrying site and method. He said that 45 annexes, including no objection certificates from revenue authorities and others, should have been made available on the website of TNPCB. But, it had mainly annexed only the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). It had deprived the people, mainly farmers and local residents, information about mandatory details. Mr. Mugilan said that several villages, which were surrounded by the proposed site, would be affected on various fronts if the quarry was allowed. Hence, it should not be established. M.P. Chinnadurai, a farmer leader, said there was already a GO for importing sand from river sand-rich countries. Instead of causing negative environmental impact by opening sand quarries, the State government should take steps to import sand to meet the market demand. V. Jeevakumar, a farmer of Rayamundanpatti in Thanjavur district, said the proposed quarry site was not far away from Kallanai, one of the oldest irrigation structures. There was possibility of extensive sand mining activity beyond the permitted level. If it happened it might pose danger to the Kallanai.
Time of India
09-08-2025
- Time of India
Locals tie rakhis on trees in Gumla dist
1 2 Gumla: Forest dwellers on Saturday celebrated Rakshabandhan in a unique way by tying rakhis on trees in Silam-Ambatoli forest, nearly eight kilometres outside of Gumla. Senior officials of the state department of forest, environment and climate also attended the Vriksh Rakshabandhan as the locals pledged to save the trees and protect the local forests. A special puja was performed by Praduman Singh, the village pahan, before rakhis were tied to the trees. The forest dwellers, which comprise families from tribal and OBC communities, have been preserving the forests for over 20 years now, local Van Raksha Samiti president Lalmohan Singh said. Sanjeev Kumar, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) and member secretary of the state biodiversity board, said, " Vriksh Rakshabandhan emotionally draws the locals towards protection and conservation of trees. Trees help save water and also come as a source of livelihood for locals though minor forest produce." "Protection of trees addresses the issue of climate change . We can achieve targets related to climate challenges only when these are addressed at grassroot levels," Kumar said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
