Latest news with #DepartmentsofEnvironment
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.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Forest Department holds training programme for snake rescuers
As part of World Snake Day celebrations, 27 snake rescuers from Chennai and other districts such as Tiruchi, Madurai, Coimbatore, and Tirunelveli underwent specialised training at Guindy Children's Park on Thursday. The training was held a day after the unveiling of the Naagam app, which is aimed at promoting the safe and scientific rescue of snakes and raising public awareness about the reptiles. Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, who inaugurated the World Snake Day event, unveiled the app and launched the training programme in the presence of Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden, H. Venuprasad, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Ritto Cyriac, Director of Arignar Anna Zoological Park, and Pramila Rajan, Director of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. The Forest Department has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust to manage the app and conduct training sessions for rescuers. According to Ms. Sahu, Tamil Nadu is home to 142 species of snakes, yet misconceptions and fear about snakes persist. The reptiles are, in a way, the silent architects of the forest ecosystem, she said, adding that there was a need to shift public perception through awareness and education. The training focused not only on snake-handling techniques but also on soft skills such as effective communication, especially when engaging with the public during rescue operations. Gnaneswar Ch, project lead, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, said a key feature of the Naagam app was its ability to systematically record snake rescue operations, in addition to allowing the public to request rescues. 'At present, snake rescues are not formally regulated or monitored. This app provides the Forest Department with a much-needed tool to oversee these operations, including live tracking of rescues and verification of snake release locations,' he said. The app is expected to be made available to the public in the coming months.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Muthupet mangrove cover increases by 2,057 hectares in the last three years
Muthupet, a coastal town located in the Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, has witnessed a notable transformation over the past few years in its mangrove cover. Muthupet is home to the largest mangrove forest in the State, spanning across 120 square kilometres along the Palk Strait. According to an official document, the mangrove area in Muthupet has grown by 2,057 hectares from 2022 to 2025. The Muthupet wetland complex, encompassing six reserved forests, is an ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife, including over 100 species of migratory water birds like Lesser Flamingos and Spot-Billed Pelicans. These mangrove forests, dominated by Avicennia marina, act as a natural shield against storm surges, tsunamis, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion. They also play a key role in the ecology of the Cauvery delta, and the hydrology of several important distributaries. A major driver behind this revival has been the active involvement of the local community, particularly the fishing families living in villages surrounding the wetland, along with the Forest Department. The restoration activities, which have been ongoing since 2001, have adopted various techniques to optimise mangrove growth. According to Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, the fishbone technique, introduced in 2004, has been a game-changer. This design allows for better tidal water flow, essential for mangrove establishment, by creating a network of canals that disperse seeds naturally. In 2023-24 alone, 350 hectares were treated using this method, with a new trial of 'step-type canals' aimed at increasing propagule survival rates. 'Under the Green TN Mission, in Muthupet alone we have planted more than 12 lakh mangrove propagules creating 1350 hectares of new plantations here,' Ms. Sahu wrote on social media platform X. According to the official note, between 2022 and 2024, Muthupet saw a total of 1,350 hectares of new mangrove plantations, with another 707 hectares undergoing restoration.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- 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
05-06-2025
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu notifies Greater Flamingo Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi
The Tamil Nadu government has officially declared a Greater Flamingo sanctuary at Dhanushkodi in Ramanathapuram district. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the sanctuary via video conferencing on the occasion of the World Environment Day event organised by the Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forests in Chennai on Thursday (June 5, 2025). Thangam Thenarasu, holding additional charge as Minister for Environment, R.S. Rajakannapan, Minister for Forests, and Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, participated in the event. The move aims to preserve a critical stopover point along the Central Asian Flyway for thousands of migratory wetland birds. The sanctuary spans 524.7 hectares and encompasses both revenue and forest lands within Rameshwaram taluk. The designated area, part of the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, is home to a variety of ecosystems, including mangroves, sand dunes, mudflats, and marshes. These unique features support a rich biodiversity, from migratory birds and marine life to nesting sea turtles. A Government Order (G.O.) issued on June 4, 2025, by Ms. Sahu, noted that according to the recent 2023-2024 wetland bird survey, the Dhanushkodi region recorded over 10,700 wetland birds, representing 128 species including herons, egrets, sandpipers, and both Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Mangrove species such as Avicennia and Rhizophora dominate the Dhanushkodi lagoon, providing essential breeding grounds and natural defenses against coastal erosion. The sanctuary status is expected to encourage responsible ecotourism, generate local employment, and raise public awareness about wetland conservation, the G.O. said. T.M. Anbarasan, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Srinivas Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden, also participated.
