TN government announces slew of measures for Hornbill conservation

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government announced slews of measures for Hornbill Conservation, including the establishment of a Centre for Excellence at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

The announcement made by the government in the state assembly on Friday marked a significant move in protecting these keystone bird species.

“The Government of Tamil Nadu will launch a ‘Hornbill Conservation Initiative’ to protect the habitat where they thrive. A centre of excellence for hornbill conservation will be set up at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve,” State Forest Minister K Ponmudy announced in the Assembly on Friday.

Ponmudy added that the conservation of Bengal Fox and Jackal is critical to ensure the ecological balance of habitat. A project will be initiated to conserve these species.

The other initiatives taken by the government include:-

-Identifying and protecting nesting trees, including those on private lands, and recognizing landowners as “Hornbill Protectors.

-Develop guidelines for safeguarding nest trees of all four hornbill species inside and out of protected areas.

-Take up ecological restoration efforts to plant and protect key food and nesting trees like Dipterocarpus indicus, Cryptocarya anamalayana, and Myristica malabaricum, many of which are endangered.

– Take up a survey and population estimation of hornbills, especially of lesser-known Malabar pied hornbills.

Supriya Sahu, the Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change & Forests for the government of Tamil Nadu, called it a “historic move.

“The TN Forest Department is set to enhance hornbill conservation efforts, marking a significant move in protecting these keystone bird species. The Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey-Hornbill, Malabar Pied-Hornbill, and the Indian Grey-Hornbill, crucial for forest ecosystems, are under threat due to habitat loss,” she wrote on X.

In another move, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to set up a Raptor Research Foundation in Tamil Nadu, a crucial step towards the conservation of birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, and owls.

The announcement was made by the Finance Minister, Environment & Climate Change Minister Thangam Thenaras, here on Friday. A total of Rs. 1 crore has been allocated, which will pave the way for scientific research, habitat protection, and awareness programs to safeguard raptors for future generations.

“These magnificent raptors play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Their presence is a key indicator of environmental health, making their conservation essential for sustaining biodiversity. The proposed Raptor Research Foundation will serve as a dedicated center for the study & conservation of these vital species,” she said.