Mass clean-up drive organised in Courtallam and adjoining forest areas
In a recent communique, Secretary, Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Supriya Sahu had instructed the District Forest Officers to organise massive clean-up programmes to remove plastics strewn around in the forest areas as the discarded plastic products have profound destructive impact on the pristine ecosystems.
Besides educating the public on the impact of plastic products on environment, they should be encouraged to avoid single-use plastics and promote the use of sustainable alternatives, she had said.
'Hence, the Department of Forest, with community participation, should organise massive clean-up programmes every month to remove the plastics from forest areas,' the letter said.
Subsequently, the mass cleaning programme for removing plastics from the forest and the adjoining areas was organised of Courtallam on Saturday in which NGOs, volunteers, students and local body workers participated.
District Collector A.K. Kamal Kishore, District Forest Officer Akhil Thampi, Assistant Conservator of Forest Nellai Nayagam, Forest Range Officer Chelladurai, students of Sri Parasakthi College for Women, Courtallam and the volunteers participated in the drive.
'We appeal to the tourists visiting Courtallam to avoid use-and-throw plastics here to conserve nature,' Mr. Kamal Kishore said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
World Mangrove Day: Tamil Nadu's renewed efforts add nearly 3,000 hectares of mangroves in three years
On the eve of World Mangrove Day, observed annually on July 26, Environment and Climate Change Minister Thangam Thennarasu planted mangrove saplings at the Adyar estuary in Chennai. Since 2022, Tamil Nadu has planted and restored over 2,900 hectares of mangroves across nine coastal districts to reduce the impact of cyclones, tidal surges, and erosion, and support biodiversity and local livelihoods. As the State's 1,076-kilometre coastline, which spans 14 districts, is increasingly vulnerable to climate-related risks, the Tamil Nadu government has taken renewed efforts in restoration. According to Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, in February 2023, the Department launched a three-year mangrove restoration scheme with an allocation of ₹25 crore, focusing on both planting new mangroves and rehabilitating degraded areas. The programme, which is expected to run until 2026, targets ten districts and covers both forest and revenue lands with potential for mangrove growth. As per official data, during the first year of the scheme, 2022–23, 1,181.4 hectares were planted, with significant work in Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Thoothukudi. At the same time, 200 hectares of degraded mangroves were restored, particularly in Thiruvarur. In the following year, 720 hectares of new plantations were added, along with the restoration of 732 hectares. In 2024–25, an additional 275 hectares were planted, with more expected by the end of the year. Ms. Sahu said that the planting efforts have used several techniques, including linear planting of propagules, intertidal nursery cultivation, and modified fish-bone planting patterns to maximise seedling survival. Special focus has been given to reintroducing rare species like Sonneratia apetala, Xylocarpus granatum, and Kandelia candel, which had largely disappeared from the region. Alongside mangroves, bio-shield plantations using trees such as casuarina, palmyrah, and cashew have been introduced to protect against wind and wave action. The mangrove plantation efforts were undertaken as part of Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project for Climate Change Response (TBGPCCR), the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), the Chennai River Restoration Trust (CRRT), and other centrally sponsored schemes. However, challenges remain, particularly in districts like Chengalpattu and Pudukkottai, where plantation activity has been limited due to ecological or hydrological factors.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
TN to set up centre for conservation of hornbill
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has approved the establishment of a centre of excellence for hornbill conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), Coimbatore. The decision follows a proposal by the principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden. A sum of Rs 1 crore from the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund has been allocated to support this initiative in the Western Ghats, a region home for four hornbill species, including the Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill. The centre will conduct research, restore habitats, and engage communities to address threats like habitat loss and climate change. It will monitor hornbill populations and their habitat use, using methods like distance sampling and GPS telemetry to track seasonal movements. Studies on foraging and nesting ecology will inform restoration efforts, said Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Department, in a G.O. issued on Monday. The centre will also map food and nest trees to identify areas for conservation and restoration. It will establish a nursery for native species like Ficus and Syzygium to restore degraded forests and install artificial nest boxes to support breeding.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu to set up hornbill conservation centre at Anamalai Tiger Reserve
The Tamil Nadu government has announced the establishment of India's first Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Coimbatore district. An official release said hornbills, often known as 'farmers of the forest', play a crucial ecological role as seed dispersers, helping regenerate native forests. However, these keystone species are increasingly threatened by deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and the impacts of climate change. Hence, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests has sanctioned ₹1 crore under the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund to establish the Centre. The Centre will focus on four hornbill species found in the Western Ghats — the Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill. Activities will include habitat mapping, nest monitoring, scientific research, climate impact assessments, and restoration of degraded forest areas by planting native trees such as fig and canarium that support hornbill populations. The G.O. issued by Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, said that Anamalai Tiger Reserve was selected for its ecological richness, existing conservation infrastructure, and for its track record in protecting endangered species including tigers, elephants, lion-tailed macaques, and other endemic wildlife. The initiative also places a strong emphasis on community participation. Local residents will be involved in conservation efforts through nest adoption programmes, scholarships for students, and sustainable livelihoods such as seed collection. Additionally, the project will offer capacity-building programmes for forest staff and host awareness activities including field visits for school children and community outreach. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department will collaborate with leading national and international organisations, including the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Nature Conservation Foundation, Wildlife Institute of India, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Hornbill Specialist Group. In addition to ATR, similar hornbill conservation activities will be undertaken in other landscapes such as the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), and parts of Kanyakumari district. These efforts will include habitat mapping, geotagging of trees, phenological studies, and community-based conservation initiatives.
