Latest news with #TamilNaduForestDepartment
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- 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.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- New Indian Express
AI cameras, drones to track leopards in Valparai, Manombolly
COIMBATORE: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is taking efforts to minimise leopard attacks in the Valparai region. Two children have been killed here in the last one-and-a-half years, the latest victim being a four-year-old girl in an estate at Pachamalai last month. Officials of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) are working out a plan to overcome the current difficulties in identifying the big cat. Currently, the people are well aware of the elephant movement through early warning systems like SMS as well as Whatsapp messages and the use of high-mast lights. As per the plan, Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras will be set up at vulnerable places on a trial basis. After the camera detects the movement of a big cat, an alert message will be sent to the range officer and the forest beat officer concerned. Subsequently, the team will be deployed in the area to trace the animal using a thermal drone. Human deaths due to wild elephant attacks have ben curbed over the last decade in the Valparai region by adopting these measures. "The plan is in the proposal stage, and it will be implemented after consultation with all the stakeholders and getting a nod from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) since the incidents of wild elephants getting killed by trains are averted with the help of AI cameras at the Madukkarai forest range in the Coimbatore forest division," said a senior official of the ATR.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
State wildlife authorities launch app to rescue snakes
Chennai: As part of 'World Snake Day' celebrations, Tamil Nadu Forest Department launched the beta version of "NAAGAM" — a first-of-its-kind official mobile application to streamline snake rescue operations across the state. Forest Secretary Supriya Sahu said the app, developed by Leopard Labs, functions as a direct interface between the public and trained snake rescuers. Madras Crocodile Bank Trust will be its legal advisor. "The app is designed as a powerful regulatory and scientific tool to ensure ethical, documented, and certified rescues of snakes across TN," she said. NAAGAM enables the public to raise snake rescue requests with a simple tap, automatically alerting the nearest certified rescuer. It ensures only trained and certified rescuers respond, minimising the risk of unethical or unsafe handling of snakes that stray into homes. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The app also allows rescuers to record critical rescue data, including snake species, location of rescue, photographs, and release site details. A public awareness programme will be conducted post-rescue. It also collects and organises real-time biodiversity data on snake sightings and rescues, contributing to long-term conservation strategies, Sahu said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The app provides location-specific information on nearby hospitals and primary health centres with antivenom stocks, adding critical value during emergencies. As part of the celebrations, the forest department launched a technical training workshop for snake rescuers, attended by officials from the forest department, herpetologists, and certified rescuers from across the state. The NAAGAM app will soon be available for public use on both iOS and Android platforms, she added. At Chennai Snake Park, as part of the World Snake Day celebrations, a cartoon titled 'Snakes are farmers' friends' in Tamil, English, and Hindi was released.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu commences restoration of Kariyachalli island in Gulf of Mannar to combat erosion and boost marine biodiversity
After the successful restoration of Vaan island in Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, the Tamil Nadu government has commenced the restoration of Kariyachalli island in the Gulf of Mannar region, under the Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resource (TNSHORE) initiative. The restoration project, being carried out at a cost of ₹50 crore, is funded by the state government and the World Bank. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department, in partnership with the IIT-Madras and Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute in Thoothukudi, is undertaking this ambitious initiative. The Gulf of Mannar (GoM) located on the southeastern coast of India, is one of the four major coral reef areas in India. It comprises 21 uninhabited low-lying islands within the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, stretching 160 km between Rameswaram and Thoothukudi. The surrounding coral reefs in these islands help to protect the mainland from coastal erosion, extreme weather, while also supporting fisherfolks by increasing the fish production. However extensive coral mining, before it was completely stopped in 2005, the most selective mined species of boulder coral were from the genera Porites and Favia, which were principal reef builders and sediment suppliers of the reef island. As a result, many islands are shrinking due to erosion and lack of sediment replenishment. In case of, Kariyachalli island, which belongs to the Thoothukudi group is located at about 4 km south of Sippikulam and 20 km northeast of Thoothukudi old harbour. According to a report from SDMRI, the total area of the island was 20.85 hectares in 1969 (Survey of India Toposheet), 16.64 hectares in 1986 during Marine National Park notification and 5.97 hectares in 2017. But at present during April 2025, it has an area cover of 3.14 hectares during the high tide level and 4.12 hectares during the low tide level. Kariyachalli island possess beaches, sand dunes, spit and sandy plains. The alarming shrinkage prompted the government to undertake restoration of Kariyachalli island. The initiative involves the deployment of 8,500 multipurpose artificial reef modules, especially designed to protect and restore the highly eroded island, to conserve and enhance biodiversity, address the impacts of climate change and sustain fishery resources. The project also includes the restoration of degraded coral reefs and seagrass beds. Interestingly the project will also engage over 300 local community members during restoration. S.A. Sannasiraj, Professor, Department of Ocean Engineering said that the layout of artificial reefs has been planned as per the island configuration and the fabrication of the artificial reef is currently underway. He added that while the deployment of the modules are similar to the 'Vaan' island project, the recovery process would be slower due to the comparatively slower rate of degradation. Whereas, the director of SDMRI J.K. Edward Patterson noted 'The island's degraded habitat such as coral reefs and seagrass beds are also being restored, which will enhance the coral and seagrass associated marine life and help protect the island from erosion.' Speaking on the initiative, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests said that environmental and social impact assessments and wave dynamics and bathymetry investigations have been conducted by IIT-Madras. 'The island has shrunk from 20.85 hectares to over three hectares now and the protection and restoration of island and its various ecosystems like coral reefs and seagrass beds will help not only to save the island from further erosion but also to protect the nearby coast and enhance biodiversity, which are vital to sustained livelihood of fisherfolk,' added Ms. Sahu.
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu forest staff to now get Rs 4.5K per annum to stitch uniforms
COIMBATORE: The state government has hiked the uniform allowance for Tamil Nadu Forest Department staff from Rs 2,800 to Rs 4,500, including the stitching charge, on par with the police personnel. As per the GO issued by Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, "The state government, after careful examination of the proposal of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), has decided to accept it and enhance the uniform allowance to Rs 4,500 per annum from forest guard to forest range officer, including for the stitching charges, on par with the police personnel, as the duties of the forest department employees include management and protection of forests and wildlife are eligible for receiving the uniform allowance on par with the police personnel.' The hike will benefit as many as 4,404 staff (current strength), of which 539 are forest range officers, 1,146 foresters, 2,053 forest guards, 126 forest guards with driving licences, and 540 are forest watchers. The sanctioned strength in the forest department is 6,251. The state government is expected to pay Rs 1,98,18,000 to the 4,404 staff and the GO came into force on Monday. Earlier, forest range officers and foresters were getting Rs 2,800 and forest guards, forest watchers and forest guards with licences were getting Rs 2,650. Members of the Tamil Nadu Forest Staff Association expressed happiness as one of their main demands has been addressed. TNIE had reported about the issue on January 13, 2024 and April 2, 2025. "Our long wait for uniform allowance has ended on a fruitful note, as we spend most of the time in the forest diverting the elephants. There have been incidents where shirts and pants were torn during patrol," said S Karthikeyan, president of the association.
