Wildlife Conservation Initiative in Tamil Nadu:

Recognizing the value and need for conservation of the wildlife wealth of the State, Tamil Nadu Government enacted separate law for protection of our valuable animals (The Tamil Nadu Wild Elephants Preservation Act 1873 and The Wild Birds and Animals (Protection) Act,1912), much before enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary was declared way back in 1936, which was the “first” Birds Sanctuary in India. A ‘Sanctuary for Tiger’ in Mundanthurai was declared in 1962 almost eleven years earlier than the launch of ‘Project Tiger’ in the country in 1973.

Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation:

Tamil Nadu has been a pioneer State in Protected Area management and development of forest resources and wildlife. The total area under the protected area management is 7,072.95 sq. km. which comes to 30.92% of the State’s Forest area. The Protected Areas in the State includes 5 National parks, 15 Wildlife sanctuaries, 15 bird sanctuaries and 2 conservation reserves besides 4 Tiger Reserves viz. Anamalai,  Kalakkad - Mundanthurai, Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam. These Protected Areas have been established under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Further Tamil Nadu also has the distinction of having 3 Biosphere Reserves viz. Nilgiris, Gulf of Mannar and Agasthiarmalai, which are internationally acclaimed for their rich and unique biodiversity. The Western Ghats are one of the 25 global hotspots and one of the 3 mega centers of endemism in India. The genetic assemblage of Tiger Reserves, Mukurthi, Srivilliputhur, Kanniyakumari and Megamalai owe their richness in flora and fauna to their locations in Western Ghats. The Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvement Project pursued at Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is a new endeavor in perusing conservation at landscape level, covering five districts namely, Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar, Madurai and Theni.  The State endeavour to improve wildlife wealth through the following practices:  

• To improve the wildlife habitats by extending and strengthening the area wherever required and ensuring connectivity of habitats.
• Management of wildlife resources at Landscape level with better Inter-State Coordination.
• Harness the sentiments of tribal and forest dwellers in wildlife management while ensuring livelihood security.
• Efforts to protect the migratory birds and to conserve their habitats.
• Conservation of Wetlands for Avian fauna.
• Inventory of Biodiversity for Bio-prospecting.
• Understanding the lesser known diversity for conservation gains.

The details of Wildlife Sanctuaries, Birds Sanctuaries, National Parks and Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu are as follows:

ABSTRACT

BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN TAMIL NADU

ELEPHANT RESERVES IN TAMIL NADU

TIGER RESERVES IN TAMIL NADU

MANGROVES & CORAL REEFS

WETLANDS

ESTIMATION

Tiger Population in Tamil Nadu was estimated as 229 during 2014 (National Tiger Conservation Authority)

            Elephant Population in Tamil Nadu was estimated as 3987 during 2012 (Asian Nature Conservation Foundation, Tamil Nadu Forest Department and Indian Institute of Science, (Bangalore.)

CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF MARINE BIO-DIVERSITY IN THE GULF OF MANNAR:

The key coastal habitats in the Gulf of Mannar are coral reefs, sea grass and mangroves. These habitats are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Marine ecosystems of Tamil Nadu, provides livelihoods to many local fishing communities in the Gulf of Mannar coast, besides acting as buffer to adjacent shorelines from strong waves, help prevent erosion, property damage and loss of life. The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust has added to the State’s effort in the conservation of marine biodiversity ensuring the livelihood security of the people along the coast line. To achieve significant improvement in the conservation of marine biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources in marine and coastal ecosystems of the State, the Forest Department envisages:

• Conservation and protection of marine biodiversity by promoting sustainable use and equitable sharing of marine resources.
• Enhance the quality of marine habitat with the help of local communities.

WILD ANIMALS COMMONLY INVOLVED IN HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICT

In Tamil Nadu, more commonly involved Wildlife in human-Wildlife conflicts, where the damage is caused to man and his property, are - elephants (Elephas maximus), tigers (Panthera tigris), leopards (Panthera pardus), wild pigs (Sus scrofa), Indian gaur (Bos gaurus), bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata), marsh crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris), peafowl (Pavo cristatus) etc., Whereas, on the other side of the human-Wildlife conflicts, almost all the Wildlife and their habitat are impacted by the human induced  interruptions/interferences.

HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICT ZONES OF TAMIL NADU

Forest department have initiated measures that benefit both the wildlife and local human communities, enabling mutually beneficial co-existence. Many initiatives are targeted to address Human wildlife conflicts and its mitigation:

• Surveillance of vulnerable areas and monitoring of wildlife habitats.
• Mitigation measures to prevent Human wildlife conflicts
• GIS enabled information and technology driven system for monitoring of wildlife habitats to reduce human wildlife conflicts.
• Sensitizing the inhabitants and locals through modern tools and technologies.
• Timely distribution of benefits to win confidence of people.
• Protocols for the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife straying out of forest areas.

Strengthening the veterinary services for wildlife through Rapid Response Teams and Mobile Veterinary Units.