Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has notified 100 new reserve forest areas across 10 districts between 2021 and 2025, significantly boosting the state’s forest and tree cover to 24.47 per cent, officials said on Friday.
The move marks a major step in strengthening forest protection, enhancing ecological security, and building climate resilience through legally protected landscapes.
According to the state government, the initiative aligns with the broader national objective of expanding green cover through science-driven and legally robust conservation measures.
“Tamil Nadu has steadily advanced towards the national objective and currently has 24.47 per cent forest and tree cover, providing a strong ecological foundation for further expansion,” the government said in a press release.
India’s National Forest Policy (1988) envisages bringing 33 per cent of the country’s geographical area under forest and tree cover to ensure long-term environmental stability.
Against this backdrop, the notification of 100 forest blocks as reserve forests has been described by the state as an unprecedented and forward-looking conservation effort.
The notifications were carried out under Section 16 of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, following a rigorous and legally mandated settlement process.
As a result, the extent of reserve forests in the state has expanded by approximately 135 square kilometres over the past four years.
The newly notified reserve forests are spread across Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Madurai, Kallakurichi, Theni, Sivaganga, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Salem and Tenkasi districts.
To mark the occasion, State Forests Minister R.S. Rajakannapan released a commemorative publication documenting the notification of the 100 new reserve forests.
The event was held in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary to the Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, Supriya Sahu.
Senior forest officials, including Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Srinivas R. Reddy, Chief Wildlife Warden and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Rakesh Kumar Dogra, and PCCF and Special Secretary to the Government Anurag S. Mishra, were also present.
The government said the expansion of reserve forests would play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity, safeguarding ecosystems, and supporting Tamil Nadu’s long-term climate resilience goals.
