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| ?Protected Areas of Tamil Nadu India |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area | 156,006 km² (60,234 sq mi) |
| Governing body | Tamil Nadu Department of forests |
| 3 Biosphere Reserves 5 National Parks 8 Wildlife sanctuaries 4 Elephant Reserves 3 Tiger Reserves 12 Bird sanctuaries 1 Conservation reserve |
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Coordinates: The Protected areas of Tamil Nadu State in South India cover an area of 3,305 km² (1,276.1 sq mi), constituting 2.54% of the geographic area and 15% of the 22,643 km² (8,742.5 sq mi) recorded forest area. It ranks 14th among all the States and Union Territories of India in terms of total protected area. [1]
The major protected areas include 3 biosphere reserves, 5 national parks, 8 wildlife sanctuaries and 12 bird sanctuaries. These protected areas of the state contain viable populations of threatened wildlife, keystone species and endemic species and cover significant eco-system types, habitats, landscapes and wildlife corridors. The protected areas in the state are mainly managed for conservation of biodiversity, education, recreation, and preservation of historic sites, unique landscapes and seascapes. [2]
History
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.
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 [3]
Biomes
The state includes a wide range of Biomes, extending east from the South Western Ghats montane rain forests in the Western Ghats 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.
Flora and Fauna
The Angiosperm diversity of India includes 17,672 species. Tamil Nadu ranks 1st among all the States in the Country with 5640 species (32%). This includes 533 endemic species, 230 red-listed species, 1559 species of medicinal plants and 260 species of wild relatives of cultivated plant. The Gymnosperm diversity of the country is 64 species of which Tamil Nadu has 4 species (6%) of indigenous Gymnosperms and about 60 introduced species. The Pteridophytes diversity of India includes 1022 species of which Tamil Nadu has about 184 species (18%).
The faunal diversity of Tamil Nadu includes 165 species of fresh water Fish of which 126 (76%) are red listed, 76 species of Amphibians of which 56 (74%) are red listed, 177 species of Reptiles of which 77 (44%) are red listed, 454 species of Birds of which 32 are red listed and 187 species of Mammals of which 40 (21%) are red listed. The endemic fauna includes 36 species of Amphibians, 63 species of reptiles, 17 species of birds and 24 species of mammals.[4]
Biosphere Reserves:
Two of the three 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)
The 3 Biosphere Reserves in Tamil Nadu listed by size are:
- The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, is 10,500 km² (4,054.1 sq mi). 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 (2,131.3 sq mi). 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 now includes 3,500.36 km² (1,351.5 sq mi). ABR is awaiting approval as participant in the UNESCO-Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. [5]
National Parks:
Tamil Nadu has 5 declared National Parks with a total area of 5 National Parks over 307.85 km² (118.9 sq mi), covering only 0.24% of the state. This is the third lowest % area covered of all Indian states and Union territories. [6]
- Indira Gandhi National Park (previously: Aanamalai National Park), 117.10 km² (45.2 sq mi), Est. 1989.
- Mudumalai National Park 103.24 km² (39.9 sq mi), Est. 1990
- Mukurthi National Park 78.46 km² (30.3 sq mi), Est. 1982
- Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park 6.23 km² (2.4 sq mi), Est. 1980
- Guindy National Park 2.82 km² (1.1 sq mi), Est. 1976 [7]
- Palani Hills National Park 736.87 km² (284.5 sq mi) (PRO) is a proposed upgrade of the Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary being established in 2007.
Wildlife Sanctuaries:
There are 8 wildlife sanctuaries that cover over 2,803.19 km² (1,082.3 sq mi)
- Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, a 485 km² (187.3 sq mi) Giant Squirrel Sanctuary near Srivilliputhur,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 deerand many species of birds may be seen.
- Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous with Indira Gandhi National Park in Coimbatore District. The 841.49 km² (324.9 sq mi) forest varies from dry deciduous to semi-evergreen, evergreen and montane wet temperate containing Teak, Rose wood and other 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.
- Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary in Tirunelveli District is part of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. This 223.58 km² (86.3 sq mi) forest consists of 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. . Other animals include Nilgiri tahr, sambar, sloth bear, gaur, Indian elephant, tiger, flying squirrel, panther, Dhole, pangolin and a variety of birds and reptiles.
- Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary is a 736.87 km² (284.5 sq mi) consolidation of several Reserve forests located in the 2,068 km² (798.5 sq mi) Palni Hills in Dindigul District. The Forest Department is working to establish the sanctuary in 2007[8]
- Mundanthurai Sanctuary 282.08 km² (108.9 sq mi) in Tirunelveli District, is part of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Nilgiris district is contiguous with Mudumalai National Park. It consists of 217.76 km² (84.1 sq mi) 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.
- Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary, a 16.41 km² (6.3 sq mi) 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.[9]
Elephant Sanctuaries
Tamil Nadu is a major participant in Project Elephant. It has 5 Elephant Sanctuaries covering 7,940 km² (3,065.7 sq mi) with 6776 Elephants enumerated in 2005, 19 Elephant corridors and 4 inter-state corridors linking to Elephant Sanctuaries in Karnataka.[10] There are 14 Forest Dept. Divisions containing Elephants.[11]
- Nilgiri Elephant Reserve, 4,663 km² (1,800.4 sq mi), Protected area 716 km² (276.4 sq mi), 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 (218.5 sq mi), Protected area 482 km² (186.1 sq mi), Elephant population 132, contiguous with Nilambur Reserve in Kerala, established 2003.
- Anamalai Elephant Reserve 1,457 km² (562.6 sq mi), Protected area 300 km² (115.8 sq mi), Elephant population 680, contiguous with Anamalai Reserve in Kerala, established 2003.
- Srivilliputtur Elephant Reserve, 1,249 km² (482.2 sq mi), Protected area 568 km² (219.3 sq mi), Elephant population 223, contiguous with Periyar Reserve in Kerala, established 2002.
- Rejuvenation Camp for Temple and Private Elephants of Tamilnadu is 5 km² (1.9 sq mi) in Mudumalai Sanctuary at Theppakkadu. It 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 participated in the rejuvenation camp in 2003.
Bird Sanctuaries
There are 13 bird sanctuaries in Tamilandu.[12], [13]
- Chitrankudi Bird Sanctuary This .48 km² (0.2 sq mi) sanctuary in Ramanathapuram District is home to Cormorants, egrets, grey heron, Spoon-billed Stork.
- Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary This 10.04 km² (3.9 sq mi) sanctuary in Ramanathapuram District is home to Cormorants, egrets, grey heron, Spoon-billed Storks, teals and pelicans.
- Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary This 4.54 km² (1.8 sq mi) sanctuary in Perambalur District is home toEgrets, Pelican, Grey Heron, White Ibis and Common Spoonbills.
- Karikili Bird Sanctuary This .612 km² (0.2 sq mi) sanctuary in Kancheepuram Districtis home to Cormorants, Egrets, Grey heron, Spoon-billed Stork.
- Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary
- Melaselvanur - Kilaselvanur Bird Sanctuary This 5.93 km² (2.3 sq mi) sanctuary in Ramanathapuram District is home to Grey pelican and Painted Stork.[14]
- Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is a 17.26 km² (6.7 sq mi) Bird Sanctuary In Point Calimere, Thanjavur district. It 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.
- Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary This 461.02 km² (178 sq mi) sanctuary in Pulicat, Thiruvallur District is the second largest brackish-water eco-system on the East Coast of India. Many Greater Flamingos can be seen here.
- Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary This .45 km² (0.2 sq mi) sanctuary in Tiruvarur District is home to Little cormorant, darter, spoon bill, Indian Reef Heron, Grey heron, whitenecked stork
- Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary This 1.28 km² (0.5 sq mi) sanctuary is 14 km from Mannargudi towards Thanjavur in Nagapattinam district It consist of a fresh water lake with a few trees, mainly Babul. There are 33 different species of birds including: River tern, Black-headed munia, Grey heron, White-breasted kingfisher Spotted Dove and more. Annual rainfall is about 1400 mm. The nearest airport is at Thiruchirapalli and the nearest Railway station is Thanjavur. There is a Rest House at Mannargudi. For greater details contact the Wildlife Warden, 110 Public Offices Road, Nagapattinam – 611 001. [15]
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary This .3 km² (0.1 sq mi) sanctuary in Kancheepuram District is home to Cormorants, egrets, gray heron, Spoon-bill Stork and migratory birds such as Garganey, Teals, Shovallers
- Vellode Bird Sanctuary This .772 km² (0.3 sq mi) sanctuary in Erode District is home to Spoon bills, teals, pintail ducks, and darters.
- Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary This .344 km² (0.1 sq mi) near Thirupattur in Sivaganga district 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.
- Viralimalai Peacock Sanctuary is in Viralimalai, a small town situated 30-km from Thiruchirapalli and 40-km from Pudukkottai. It is known for its Murugan temple and the Peacock sanctuary. The town is bestowed with a large number of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple.[16]
Conservation reserves and community reserves
- Tiruvidaimarudur Conservation Reserve is in the .0284 km² (0 sq mi) compound of the Mahalingha Swamy Siva temple[16] in Tiruvidaimarudur village, Thanjavur District. Over 400 Little Egrets, Pond heron and Painted Stork nest and feed in this area adjacent to the Tamiraparani river, 10 km. from Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.[17]
Tiger Reserves
- Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve - Established in 1962, this 900 km² (347.5 sq mi) reserve in Tirunelveli district is now part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. It was adopted by Project Tiger in 1988.[18] The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) has developed and implemented a conservation intervention program here.[19] A comprehensive report on the history, flora & fauna, ecology and future of the reserve is available. [20]
- Mukurthi National Park 78.46 km² (30.3 sq mi), is home to an array of endangered wildlife, including Royal Bengal Tiger and Asian Elephant. Its main attraction is the Nilgiri Tahr an important prey species of the tigers.
Reserved Forests
Forests cover over 17% of the state's geographical area. [21]
Satellite views:Reserved Forest, 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.[22]
Zoos and Crocodile Farms
Zoos:
- Arignar Anna Zoological Park is 5.10 km² (2 sq mi) in Chennai.
[23] Five mini zoos stimulate public awareness of wildlife conservation.
- Amirthi zoo, Vellore Division, Vellore district
- Kurumpampatti Wildlife Park, Salem district
- Yercaud Deer Park, Salem district
- Mukkombu Deer Park, Tiruchirapalli district
- Ooty Deer Park, Nilgiris district
There are five Crocodile farms in Tamil Nadu, four under the control of Forest Department.[24]
- Amaravati Sagar Crocodile Bank in Pollachi Division, Coimbatore district
- Hogenakkal Crocodile Bank, Dharmapuri district.
- Kurumbapatti Crocodile farm in Salem Division.
- Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, a private Herpetology research station, 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.
- Sathanur Dam Crocodile Bank, Tirupattur Division, Tiruvannamalai district
Other Protected areas
Regional Cooperation
Senior forestry officials cooperate on mutual issues concerning conservation and protection of forests and wildlife of the region. A regular conference of the forest ministers and forest officials of the southern states is held once a year, in rotation in each State.
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 improves 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 by the Union Government. [25]
The second meeting was held at Bangalore on September 21 and 22, 2007.[26]
References
- ^ Tamil Nadu Forest Dept. Wild Biodiversity
- ^ Tamil Nadu Ministry of Environment and Forests, Policy note, 2006-2007, Demand No. 15, Forest Dept., Page 4. [1].
- ^ Tamil Nadu Dept. of Forests
- ^ Tamil Nadu Dept. of Forests, Retrieved 9/9/2007Biodiversity
- ^ Tamil nadu Forest Dept., Retrieved 9/9/2007Biosphere Reserves
- ^ Wildlife Institute of India, National Wildlife Database (November 2006), retrieved 3/25/2007[2]
- ^ Tamil Nadu Forest Dept., Retrieved 9/9/2007National Parks
- ^ Tamil Nadu Ministry of Environment and Forests, Policy note, 2006-2007, Demand No. 15, Forest Dept., Page 4.[3].
- ^ Wildlife Sanctuaries
- ^ Ministry of Environment and Forests, Project Elephant, 2005.[4]
- ^ Asian Nature Conservation Foundation, Forest Divisions of South India bearing Elephants, Maps & Data.[5]
- ^ Tamil Nadu Department of Environment (2006) State of the Environment, retrieved 9/9/2007[6]
- ^ bird sanctuaries
- ^ Migratory birds flock to Vettangudi Sanctuary, The Hindu, 9/11/2005.[7]
- ^ Tamil Nadu Forest Dept., Bird Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu [8]
- ^ TAMILNADU TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM,retrieved 5/21/2007 Viralimalai Sanctuaries
- ^ Tamil Nadu Forest Department (2007) Wild Biodiversity, retrieved 9/9/2007Tiruppadaimarathur Conservation Reserve
- ^ Project Tiger[9]
- ^ Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment [10]
- ^ Johnsingh, A. J. T., Wildlife Institute of India, "The Kalakad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: A global heritage of biological diversity", CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 80, NO. 3, 10 FEBRUARY 2001. Kalakad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
- ^ WikiMapia: Satellite view of Tamil Nadu[11]
- ^ US Army Map Service Series U 502, India, 1959[12],
- ^ Zoos[13]
- ^ TNU/WLTCrocFarm[14]
- ^ CONFERENCE OF THE FOREST MINISTERS OF SOUTHERN STATES, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 3 – 4 November 2006 [15]
- ^ Two-day meet of Forest Ministers concludes
External links
- About Tamil Nadu Department of Forests
- page 13, United Nations List of National Parks and Protected Areas: India (2002)
- Ministry of Forests and Environment Protected Areas
- Ministry of Environment and Forests, 2006 Report
See also
- Research of the Protected Areas of Tamil Nadu
- Protected areas of Himachal Pradesh
- Protected areas of Kerala
- Protected areas of West Bengal
