STATE SCHEMES IMPLEMENTED IN PROTECTED AREAS

STATE SCHEMES

State scheme funds are provided under Nature Conservation, Improvement of AAZP, Compensation, etc., Funds are also allocated for mitigation of Human Wildlife Conflicts like Construction of EPT, Solar Powered Fence, Providing drinking water facilities, tackling problem of Monkey menace etc.

Tami Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project:

Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) aided Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project (TBGP) with an expenditure of Rs.510.02 crore was implemented as a eight year project, from 2011-12 to 2018-19. The project has been instrumental in reducing the threats to the native biodiversity of the State and in enhancing the natural resource base besides improving the capacity of the field staff. 7.89 crore seedlings have been planted under the scheme - Tree Cultivation in Private Lands, from the beginning of the project covering an area of 1.43 lakh hectare farmland benefiting 87,299 farmers.  An amount of Rs.10.00 crore has been provided for the year 2020-21.

This scheme is one of the key schemes for achieving SDG Nos.14 and 15.

Massive Tree Planting Programme:

Tamil Nadu Forest Department conceived the project of Massive Tree Planting Programme (MTP) with aims to increase green cover, mitigate the adverse effects of various environmental pollutants among others. This programme is being implemented continuously from 2011-12 onwards. From 2011-12 to 2018-19, the planting and maintenance of 4.69 crore seedlings in all districts throughout Tamil Nadu has been achieved. During 2019-20, the scheme was continued with a target of 71 lakh seedlings, whereas 64 lakh seedlings are being planted by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and 7 lakh seedlings by Forest Department in degraded forest areas. During the year, 2020-21, the scheme shall continue with a target of 72 lakh seedlings whereas 64 lakhs seedlings shall be planted by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department under MGNREGS and 8 lakh seedlings shall be planted by the Forest Department in degraded forest area. 

This scheme will facilitate to achieve the SDG Targets 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3 under Goal No.15.

Raising Sandal Plantations:

The scheme of Raising of Sandal Plantations in RFs in the traditional natural sandal bearing areas of Jawadhi Hills, Shervaroyan hills, Kolli Hills, Pachamalai hills and Chitheri hills for a period of 10 years from 2015-16 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs.100 crore is being implemented actively. Until 31^st March 2019, the scheme was implemented at a cost of Rs.8.94 crore by planting 7.10 lakh seedlings. The scheme is being continued during 2019-20 at an outlay of Rs.14.37 crore.  An amount of Rs.7.55 crore has been provided for the year 2020-21.

This scheme will assist to achieve the SDG Target 15.2 under Goal No.15.

Raising Teak Plantations:

In order to enrich the tree cover and timber resources of the State, the scheme of Raising Teak plantations, over an area of 6000 ha, is being implemented from 2017-18 for 8 years at a total outlay of Rs.52.64 crore. An area of 2345 ha (planting target 4,69,000 seedlings) was covered during 2017-18 and 2018-19 at a cost of Rs 8.38 crore. The scheme has been continued during 2019-20 at an outlay of Rs 7.85 crore covering an area of 1200 ha.  This scheme will be continued during 2020-21 with an outlay of Rs.7.97 crore.

This scheme will help to achieve the SDG Target 15.1 under Goal No.15.

Rejuvenation of Vaigai and Noyyal Rivers

The NABARD assisted scheme of Rejuvenation of Vaigai and Noyyal Rivers has been conceived for reducing pollutants and preventing flow of heavy load of silts into the water bodies.  The scheme is being implemented from 2017-18 for 3 years at a total outlay of Rs.24.58 crore. Soil and Moisture Conservation activities and a small component of planting work that includes sowing of grass seeds were taken up under this scheme.  This scheme is expected to improve fodder and water availability inside the RFs which will in turn help mitigating human-wildlife conflicts in the forest fringe areas. During 2018-19, the scheme has been implemented with an outlay of Rs.6.79 crore. The scheme is being implemented during 2019-20 as well with an outlay of Rs.9.03 crore.

This scheme will enable to achieve the SDG Target 15.4 under Goal No.15.

Rejuvenation of Palar river

The scheme of Rejuvenation of Palar river assisted by NABARD is being implemented from 2019-20 for 2 years at a total outlay of Rs.13.02 crore.  It is proposed to construct 13 Nos. of check dams and 10 Percolation Ponds, water harvesting trenches to a length of 78 kms. and to construct 26 Nos. of gully plugging. The scheme is under implementation during 2019-20 with an outlay of Rs.6.26 crore. The scheme will propose to continue during 2020-21 with an outlay of Rs.6.76 crore.

This scheme will facilitate to achieve the SDG Target 15.4 under Goal No.15.

Resolving Man animal conflicts:

Mitigating the man-animal conflict is of greatest concern of Tamil Nadu Forest Department.  To ensure that the affected persons should be compensated adequately, the compensation for the damage of crops, loss of human life etc., the quantum of amount has been considerably enhanced linking cases of “human animal conflict” with the “Disaster Management” vide G.O Ms. No..141 E&F, FR.6, dated 25.11.2016.  The compensation for human death and permanent incapacitation is Rs.4.00 lakh and for major injuries, it is Rs.0.591 lakh.

An amount of Rs.6.78 crore was sanctioned under the State scheme and Rs.1.33 crore were sanctioned under centrally shared schemes for payment of compensation during 2019-20.  An amount of Rs.3.63 crore under State fund has been provided during 2020-21

Further to enhance the institutional capacity and to strategically improve its veterinary support services to the forest and wildlife areas in order  to deal with emerging wildlife health induced crisis situations and to manage the human wildlife situations, three Forest Veterinary Units at Erode, Krishnagiri and Tirunelveli have been established at a cost of Rs.3.90 crores.

Eco-restoration of Pallikaranai Marshland

The State Government is committed to protect the Pallikaranai marshland which is a unique fresh water swamp located within the Chennai Metropolitan area. Conservation Authority of Pallikaranai Marshland has been constituted to monitor all the activities. An area of 690.65 ha is under the control of Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Restoration activities like habitat improvement, protection, research, monitoring, publicity and awareness has been undertaken under the scheme. It is being implemented from 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 at a cost of Rs.165.68 crore under National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change.

This scheme will provide support to achieve the SDG Target 15.1 under Goal No.15.

Eco-restoration of Nanmangalam RF

Out of 320 Ha.of Nanmangalam Reserve Forest, an area of 18 Ha. is demarcated to create a near natural man made forests by undertaking high density planting with native indigenous species to improve the biodiversity of the area and at the same time to create green lungs in and around Chennai to ameliorate the micro-climate. The Scheme was sanctioned for a period of five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23 at a total cost of Rs 2.50 crore. During 2018-19, an amount of Rs.0.80 crore was spent for raising nursery and construction of compound wall. 15,250 seedlings are being planted during 2019-20 with an outlay of Rs. 0.97 crore. The Scheme is proposed to continue during 2020-21 with an outlay of Rs.0.37 crore.

This scheme will assist to achieve the SDG Targets 15.2 and 15.3 under Goal No.15.

Construction of Concrete Wall and bio-fencing to protect RF in and around Chennai from encroachment/ garbage dumping

"Providing Concrete and live fencing for the protection of the Reserved Forests around Chennai city" to prevent encroachments and from polluting the forest area due to urbanisation, at a cost of Rs.25.00 crore is being implemented from three years  from 2019-20 to 2021-22. The work of construction of compound wall to a length of 14.2 km and bio-fencing to a length of 75 km is being taken up during 2019-20 with an outlay of Rs.10.778 crore. The scheme is proposed to continue during 2020-21 with an outlay of Rs. 7.72 crore.

This scheme will help to achieve the SDG Target 15.1 under Goal No.15.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park, (AAZP) Vandalur

The Arignar Anna Zoological Park is located in Vandalur near Chennai spreading over an extent of 602 Ha. Since its establishment, this zoological park has emerged as a successful ex-situ conservation complex and a captive breeding centre for many endangered wildlife species like White Tiger, Lion Tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur. The park exhibits 2382 wild animals, which includes 47 species of mammals, 97 species of birds, 38 species of reptiles in all numbering 182 species. Over the past 35 years since its establishment, this zoological park has emerged as successful ex-situ conservation and captive breeding centre for many endangered species such as the royal Bengal tiger, lion tailed macaque and the Nilgiri langur. The zoological park attracts about 20 lakh visitors annually.  

This zoological park has recorded visitor footfalls of 20.49 lakhs during 2018-19.  The total revenue of AAZP was Rs.13.96 crore during 2018-19.  24x7 Animal Live Streaming of 14 animals was introduced last year for the benefit of the visitors through the website.  More than 3 crore page views were recorded in one year testifying an overwhelming response from people.  The Zoo has strengthened its protection by means of installing about 165 CCTV cameras for the visitors and the animals. The mechanism is called Zoo e-eye surveillance.  After 30 years, a pair of Indian one-horned rhinoceros was brought to the Zoo through Animal Exchange Programme during 2019-2020.  The Zoo has also recorded  birth of a Indian Gaur calf, a royal Bengal tiger cub, a grey wolf cub, a wild ass cub, ostrich, nilgai, mouse deer etc.,   Otteri lake, located inside AAZP was rejuvenated during 2019-2020 leading to greater sightings of  water birds by the visitors. New initiatives were also taken to improve the green cover of the Zoo during 2019-20 benefitting the Zoo animals and the visitors.

Online ticketing system and digital payments are available as amenities for the visitors. More than 1000 rescued animals were rehabilitated at the Zoo.  The Zoo school conducts several awareness programmes such as Zoo Ambassador for school children, Special themed workshops for adults, Zoo outreach activities. Through these programmes more than 400 Zoo Ambassador were titled last year and about 20000 people were given awareness talks.  Zoo school also conducted a certificate course on Bird Identification and Basic ornithology, funded by the MoEFCC, Government of India. Students benefited from this course. 

The Zoo has introduced several facilities such as Vandalur Zoo Mobile Application, YouTube channel, Virtual reality shows, Zoo souvenir shop and Purified drinking water for the benefit of the visitors.  Facilities, like modern electric incinerator, solar fencing, cloak room, lactating mother room, digital x-ray, new animal enclosure were provided for the better management of the Zoo animals.

Advanced Institute For Wildlife Conservation (AIWC)

The State of Tamil Nadu took a pioneer step to set up the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation in the Tambaram reserve forest area under the current management control of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park. 

AIWC was set up as a highly advanced state of the art labs for Animal Care Sciences, Wildlife Forensic Sciences, Conservation Education and Wildlife Research with a initial cost of Rs.7.31 crore. The Institute has commenced basic wildlife forensic research and diagnostic operations in Morphometry, DNA and Scat DNA laboratories under the Centre for Wildlife Forensic Sciences (CWFS). Morphometry laboratory of CWFS is involved in developing reference repository of wild animal samples ranging from skulls, long bones, horns, antlers, ivories, hair samples, feathers, hide and skin samples for morphological comparative studies, to establish standards that aid in species identification.

Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation has also been conducting hands-on training programme in wildlife crime scene investigation for the field staff, monthly guest lecture by eminent scientists in key areas of wildlife conservation and management, annual capacity enhancement training for zoo animal keepers in captive animal management, and outreach training to college students in wildlife conservation.

During 2019-20, Hon’ble Minister for Forests made an announcement on the floor of Assembly for setting up of “Introduction of Wildlife Studies with establishment of an International Hostel” at a cost of Rs 8.35 crore for the students, scholars, scientists and others who come to attend various study and research programmes of AIWC during 2019-20. The AIWC has already begun the study programme with demand for the courses rising day by day across India and internationally. The PWD has already commenced the construction process for implementation of the Announcement. The World Bank also has approved a new plan of the Institute to set up within its campus the Tamil Nadu Marine Forest Academy - India’s first, and a most relevant initiative in conservation on this date, at a cost of Rs. 25 crore for the years 2020-24.

Drought relief measures taken in Tamil Nadu forest department

Due   to prevailing acute drought water scarcity in all rivers, canals, streams in the Reserve Forest and Protected Areas. Due to this,  percolation ponds, water holes, Checkdams  were dried and fodders are not available in these areas. Because of this, the wild animals  are likely to straying into the nearby patta lands, agricultural fields and in villages for search water and food and thereby it leads to man-animal conflict in the form of crop and property damage, animal death due to hit by vehicles and human death. 

Considering the drought situation in Tamil Nadu, Special Field Inspection was conducted in   all Protected Areas and Reserved Forest Areas.  Based on this, the Conservator of Forests, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Trichy and Villupuram Circles have sent drought relief proposals for the following works an amount of Rs. 5.00 Crores.

• Supply of Water through tanker lorries into the water troughs in the Forests
• Creation of new water holes.
• Maintenance of water holes, percolation ponds and checkdams.
• Desilting of percolation ponds.
• Erection of borewell with motors energized by solar power.,
• Fire control measures due to severe drought situation.
• Driving menaceful animals into the deep forests with the help of Anti- poaching watchers to prevent man animal conflicts.

Vardha Cylone

“Vardah” Cyclone on 12.12.2016 has caused severe damages to trees, animal enclosures, roads, buildings, boundary walls, drainages, electricity supply network, water supply network and civic amenities of Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur.  Restoration and re-construction works are being carried out in war footing to re-open Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur as early as possible.

 Supply of feed and water to all the animals has been restored immediately and the safety of animals has been strengthened.  Mobility of vehicles was also restored within few days by removing wind fallen trees in all the roads. The other restoration works were carried out on war footing by drawing a time schedule.

The Guindy National Park  /Childrens Park also were damaged severely due to cyclone vardah.  The restoration work was carried out in quickest time possible and the Children’s Park was reopened for public on 30.12.2016.  The Arignar Anna Zoological Park, was reopened for public on 10.02.2017 by making earnest and best efforts.

The cyclone Vardah made a landfall with wind speed ranging from 120-140 kms per hour in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts.  Around 1 lakh trees have been uprooted in Chennai city.  In view of the large scale destruction caused to trees, effort is made to bring back green urban spaces and recreate tree cover in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts which is the dire need of the hour to mitigate the climate change.  The Government have sanctioned an amount of Rs.13.42 crores for “Restoration of Green cover in Chennai city and adjoining districts to restore the tree cover lost due to “Vardah” cyclone.

Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives:

The following Six (6) new schemes under Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives fund has been approved at a total outlay of Rs.3.84 crores for implementation ranging from one year to three years. From 2016-17 onwards the scheme is being implemented.

• Project Kaliru
• Non-Destructive method by Ultrasonic standardized for assessment of internal decay and hollowness in standing trees / timbers
• Restoration of Tropical Dry Evergreen forest (TDEF) in Nanmangalam Reserved Forest
• Women Empowerment through Conservation of Medicinal Plants
• Surveillance of Forest and wild life areas through Drone Technology
• Maximizing the ground water recharge in Vangaram RF of Ariyalur Division

A Grievance Redresseal day

A Grievance Redresseal day is being organized in every month to redress the grievance of tribal people who are living in forest fringes.  Initially, Grievance Redressal day is being organized in Thriuvanamalai district on pilot basis. Order have been issued vide G.O.(MS).No.116, Environment and Forests (FR.10) dated.14.10.2016 and the scheme is under implementation.

The scheme of raising palmyrah palm plantation

It is in Government and community land in Tamil Nadu for a period of five years from 2016-17- 2020-21 has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.1.38 crore and sanction accorded for  an amount of Rs.25.00 lakh towards the implementation of the scheme during 2016-17 vide G.O.(MS).No.142, Environment and Forests (FR.-6) dated.29.11.2016 and the scheme is under implementation.

Forest Genetic Resources Tree Park at Chennai

In G.O Ms No 137 dated 22-11-2016 orders have been issued to establish Forest Genetic Resources Tree Park at Chennai adjacent to Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur on the Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road at a cost of Rs.2.00 crores, to assemble 300 tree species available in Western and Eastern Ghats which will serve as a learning centre for farmers and students.  It will also act as Botanists' Paradise.

Live streaming facility in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur

Sanction has been accorded to establish Live streaming facility in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur during 2016-17 at a cost of Rs.50.00 lakhs vide G.O Ms. No.138, Environment and Forests dated 22.11.2016.

Online ticketing facility in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur

Sanction has been accorded to establish Online ticketing facility in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur at a cost of Rs.50.00 lakh.  This will facilitate the Public to purchase tickets online to visit the AAZP, by which they can avoid standing in the long queues. Orders have been issued to carry out this work vide G.O Ms. No.135, Environment and Forests dated 22.11.2016.

Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s Martyr’s day

Recognizing the sacrifices made by certain Forest officials in protecting and safeguarding the Forest wealth and wildlife, to commemorate them, it has been ordered to observe Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s Martyr’s dayevery year on 11th of September.  Orders have been issued vide G.O.(MS).No.119, Environment and Forests (FR.13) department dt.18.10.2016.

Automatic Weather stations

Sanction has been accorded to establish seven Automatic Weather stations in Seven Agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu at a total cost of Rs.14.00 lakhs, to study climate change and associated threats in Forest Eco-system.

Preventing monkey menace in Tamil Nadu

To curb the monkey menace, works like establishment of two monkey capturing units at Velachery and Vandalur, establishment of a Nodal Centre at Zoo Veterinary Hospital in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur and formation of ten cluster rehabilitation centres at Ooty, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Vellore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram and Kanniyakumari districts have been undertaken.