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The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Stalin hands over appointment orders to 1,304 forest staff
As many as 1,304 newly recruited frontline forest personnel were given appointment orders by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during the World Environment Day event held by the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, in Chennai on Thursday. A total of 1,411 recruits were selected through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission's exams conducted in June 2024. They included 515 forest guards, 192 forest guards with driving licence, and 684 forest watchers. While a total of 1,358 recruits have already reported to their respective divisions, 1,238 were present at the function to formally receive their appointment orders. An additional 66 recruits selected for the Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation (TAFCORN), also participated in the event. This recruitment is the first large-scale induction into the department since the previous round held between 2019 and 2021, which saw the appointment of only 372 personnel. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation for the Research and Development Centre of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), to be constructed in Guindy at an estimated cost of ₹44 crore. It will house facilities for ambient air quality monitoring, emissions and wastewater monitoring, biomedical and hazardous waste surveillance, and will also feature an integrated environmental laboratory and monitoring unit. Fishnet recovery Mr. Stalin also inaugurated 14 Fishnet Recovery Centres set up in Tamil Nadu's coastal districts as part of the Tamil Nadu Sustainable Habitat for Ocean and Resources Enhancement initiative. These centres, established at a cost of ₹1.75 crore, aim to retrieve abandoned fishing nets from the sea, which pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems. Fishermen involved in collecting these discarded nets are compensated between ₹40 and ₹46 per kg, including a ₹4-₹6 incentive. As of now, over 17,044 kg of fishing nets and plastic waste have been retrieved, with 10,700 kg already recycled, an official release said. To honour exceptional contributions to environmental protection, Mr. Stalin presented awards to top-performing Collectors and District Forest Officers. As many as 38 individuals received the Chief Minister's Waterbody Conservator Award along with ₹1 lakh cash prize. Five industries were recognised with Voluntary Green Rating Certificate for eco-friendly operations and social responsibility. Finance and Environment Minister Thangam Thennarasu, MSME Minister T.M. Anbarasan, Forests Minister R.S. Rajakannappan, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, and diplomats from various countries, including Deputy High Commissioner of the U.K. Halima Holland, were present.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu records 397 wetland bird species, 401 terrestrial bird species in synchronised survey
A total of 397 bird species were recorded in the wetland bird survey, while 401 species were identified in the terrestrial bird survey this year, according to the synchronised bird survey report released by Forests Minister R.S. Rajakannappan during the inaugural of International Biodiversity Day events on Thursday. 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).
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Over 37,000 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings released into sea in Chennai
As dusk descended on the Chennai coast on Friday, over a hundred Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings were gently released from baskets at a hatchery at Elliot's Beach in Besant Nagar and made their way into the sea. While some swiftly crawled into the water, others hesitated, glancing around as if they were reluctant to leave their birthplace. Yet, one by one, they all eventually made their way towards their one true home. So far, over 37,000 Olive Ridley hatchlings have been released along the Chennai coast, despite a challenging start to the season, which runs from December to May. During January and February, hundreds of turtle carcasses washed ashore, a troubling sign for conservationists. 'It was a worrisome time for us, with so many dead turtles,' said Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests. However, with the continued efforts of the Forest Department and collaborations with other departments such as the Fisheries Department and the Indian Coast Guard, the number of nesting turtles have rebounded. As a result, a record number of hatchlings have now been released. According to official data, as of April 29, a total of 3,19,895 eggs have been collected across Tamil Nadu, with 2,29,432 hatchlings released back into the sea. Cuddalore led the way with 81,622 hatchlings, followed by Mayiladuthurai with 38,582, and Chennai with 37,689 hatchlings. For comparison, in 2024, Chennai had released 38,230 hatchlings by the start of June, and Tamil Nadu as a whole had released 2,15,778 hatchlings, fewer than this year. Ms. Sahu outlined future strategies to further enhance conservation efforts, including turtle telemetry studies, the continuation of the Turtle Task Force, and the formation of a marine protection force for the Chennai region, as recently announced in the Assembly. 'One key area for improvement is better planning with local municipalities and corporations for waste management, beach cleaning, and dimming beach lights,' she added. Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra said a new mobile app for turtle data collection would help the Forest Department and volunteers track crucial information such as nest width, depth, and temperature. The data is important to replicate ideal conditions at hatcheries and ensure the turtles' survival.
