Tamil Nadu government notifies 17th wildlife sanctuary in the state

New Delhi: The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday notified the 68,640 hectares Reserve Forest (RF) area in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts as Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary.

In a notification the government said, the area has adequate ecological, faunal, and floral significance and needs management as Wild Life Sanctuary for protecting and conserving wildlife, habitat and to mitigate human elephant conflict.

“The area is rich in biodiversity with not less than 35 species of mammals and 238 species of birds need an urgent focus for conservation and protection of this habitat” it said.

Some of the animals such as Leith’s Soft-shelled turtles, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Smooth-coated Otter, Marsh Crocodile, Four-horned Antelope, Lesser Fish Eagle etc., are almost exclusively dependent on the Cauvery River and its riverine forest ecosystem.

The notification has been released following the announcement made by the Tamil Nadu government on April 25 that forest area of 478 sq km in Anchetty, Urigam and Jawalagiri ranges of Hosur division, which are contiguous with the Cauvery South will be declared as a wildlife sanctuary.

Calling its a significant step towards “conservation of rich biodiversity, Chief Minister MK Stalin said that, I’m happy to announce that the GoTN has notified ‘Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary’ as the 17th Wildlife Sanctuary in TN”

“This significant step along with the TN Green Climate Company’s missions will go a long way in conserving the rich biodiversity of our State” he tweeted.

Addl Chief Secretary Environment Climate Change & Forests, Govt of Tamil Nadu also echoed the same sentiment and said, in a new era of conservation TN Govt has Notified the new’Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary’in 68,640 Ha”.

“Congratulations Tamil Nadu In a new era of conservation TN Govt has Notified the new’Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary’in 68,640 Ha.Home to 35 species of mammals 238 species of birds,soft shelled turtles,smooth coated otters,four horned Antelopes its a wildlife Paradise #TNForest” she said.

“The area has two important elephant corridors identified namely, the Nandimangalam-Ulibanda Corridor and the Kovaipallam-Anebiddahalla Corridor. A total area of 686.406 sq.km is an important elephant habitat in Southern India and is critical for a large number of riverine species dependent on River Cauvery’ said the notification.

Reserve forests also form a unique ecosystem of the Cauvery basin and constitutes the last forested low-lying stretches of the Cauvery River before it enters the Stanley Reservoir.