Protected areas of Tamil Nadu

Location map+|Tamil Nadu|width=300|float=right|caption=Protected areas of Tamil Nadu
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Udaya Location map~|Tamil Nadu|lat_deg=09|lat_min=16|lon_deg=79|lon_min=10|position=right|background=DeepSkyBlue|label=

The Protected areas of Tamil Nadu State in South India cover an area of km2 to mi2|3305|abbr=yes, constituting 2.54% of the geographic area and 15% of the km2 to mi2|22643|abbr=yes recorded forest area. It ranks 14th among all the States and Union Territories of India in terms of total protected area. [Tamil Nadu Forest Dept. [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/wildbiodiversity_home.html Wild Biodiversity] ]

The major protected areas include 3 Biosphere reserves, 5 National parks, 8 Wildlife sanctuaries, 4 Elephant Reserves, 3 Tiger Reserves and 12 Bird sanctuaries. These protected areas of the state contain viable populations of threatened wildlife, keystone species and endemic species and cover significant eco-system types, habitats, landscapes and wildlife corridors. The protected areas in the state are mainly managed for conservation of biodiversity, education, recreation, and preservation of historic sites, unique landscapes and seascapes. [ Tamil Nadu Ministry of Environment and Forests, Policy note, 2006-2007, Demand No. 15, Forest Dept., Page 4. [http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/archives/policy2006-07/pdf/environment_forest.pdf Policy Note] .]

History

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name= Tamil Nadu
other_name = Protected Areas of
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state_name= Tamil Nadu
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nearest_city = | blank_title_2 = Governing body | blank_value_2 = [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/wildbiodiversity_home.html Tamil Nadu Department of forests]
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footnotes = 3 Biosphere Reserves
5 National Parks
8 Wildlife sanctuaries
4 Elephant Reserves
3 Tiger Reserves
12 Bird sanctuaries
1 Conservation reserve Creation and administration of Protected areas in South India originated with the Maharajas of the Southern Princely States' private hunting grounds. The Mudumalai National Park, established in 1940, was the first modern Wildlife Sanctuary in South India.

Most protected areas throughout its 30 Districts are under the stewardship of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (India) and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. [Tamil Nadu Forest Dept. [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/ Home Page] ]

Biomes

The state includes a wide range of Biomes, extending east from the South Western Ghats montane rain forests in the Western Ghats through the South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests and Deccan thorn scrub forests to tropical dry broadleaf forests and then to the beaches, estuaries, salt marshes, mangroves, and coral reefs of the Bay of Bengal.

Flora

The Angiosperm diversity of India includes 17,672 species. Tamil Nadu ranks 1st among all the States in the Country with 5640 species (32%). This includes 533 endemic species, 230 red-listed species, 1559 species of medicinal plants and 260 species of wild relatives of cultivated plant. The Gymnosperm diversity of the country is 64 species of which Tamil Nadu has 4 species (6%) of indigenous Gymnosperms and about 60 introduced species. The Pteridophytes diversity of India includes 1022 species of which Tamil Nadu has about 184 species (18%). [Tamil Nadu Forest Dept. [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/wildbiodiversity_home.html Floral Diversity] ]

Fauna

The faunal diversity of Tamil Nadu includes 165 species of fresh water Fish of which 126 (76%) are red listed, 76 species of Amphibians of which 56 (74%) are red listed, 177 species of Reptiles of which 77 (44%) are red listed, 454 species of Birds of which 32 are red listed and 187 species of Mammals of which 40 (21%) are red listed. The endemic fauna includes 36 species of Amphibians, 63 species of reptiles, 17 species of birds and 24 species of mammals. [Tamil Nadu Forest Dept., Retrieved 9/9/2007 [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/wildbiodiversity_home.html Faunal Diversity] ]

Biosphere Reserves:

Two of the three Biosphere Reserves in Tamil Nadu are among four in India and ninety five in Asia that are part of UNESCO's Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB). The 3 Biosphere Reserves in Tamil Nadu listed by size are:
#The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, is km2 to mi2|10500|abbr=yes. located in the Indian part of the Gulf of Mannar between the Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka Coasts. Est. 1989.
#Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills. The reserve encompasses km2 to mi2|5520|abbr=yes. in the states of Tamil Nadu (2537.6 km²), Karnataka (1527.4 km²) and Kerala (1455.4 km²).
#Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR) was Established in 2001 and now includes km2 to mi2|3500.36|abbr=yes. ABR is awaiting approval as participant in the UNESCO-Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. [Tamil nadu Forest Dept., Retrieved 9/9/2007 [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/biospherereserve.html Biosphere Reserves] ]

National Parks:

location map start|Tamil Nadu|float=right|width=200Tamil Nadu has 5 declared National Parks with a total area over km2 to mi2|307.84|abbr=yes, covering only 0.24% of the state. This is the third lowest % area covered of all Indian states and Union territories. [ Wildlife Institute of India, National Wildlife Database (November 2006), retrieved 3/25/2007 [http://www.wii.gov.in/nwdc/nparks.htm|National Parks] ]
#Indira Gandhi National Park (previously: Aanamalai National Park), km2 to mi2|117.10|abbr=yes, Est. 1989.
#Mudumalai National Park km2 to mi2|103.24|abbr=yes, Est. 1990
#Mukurthi National Park km2 to mi2|78.46|abbr=yes, Est. 1982
#Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park km2 to mi2|6.23|abbr=yes, Est. 1980
#Guindy National Park km2 to mi2|2.82|abbr=yes, Est. 1976 [Tamil Nadu Forest Dept., Retrieved 9/9/2007 [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/nationalparks.html National Parks] ]
*Palani Hills National Park km2 to mi2|736.87|abbr=yes (PRO) is a proposed upgrade of the Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary being established in 2007.

Wildlife Sanctuaries:

There are 7 wildlife sanctuaries plus 13 bird sanctuaries that together cover over km2 to mi2|2997.60|abbr=yes, 2.30% of the total state area.cite web
url= http://www.wii.gov.in/nwdc/sanctuaries.htm
author= National Wildlife Data Center
publisher= Wildlife Institute of India
date= June, 2008
title= State-wise break up of Wildlife Sanctuaries
retrieval date= 3/26/2007]
#Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, a km2 to mi2|485|abbr=yes Giant Squirrel Sanctuary near Srivilliputhur,in Virudhunagar district consisting of mainly dry deciduous forests with patches of tropical evergreen forests, Semi-evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous forests and grassland. Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Tree Shrew, Elephant, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, mouse deer, barking deerand many species of birds may be seen.
#Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous with Indira Gandhi National Park in Coimbatore District. The km2 to mi2|841.49|abbr=yes forest varies from dry deciduous to semi-evergreen, evergreen and montane wet temperate containing Teak, Rose wood and other tropical species. Animals, including Indian Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Dhole, Nilgiri Langur, Lion-tailed Macaque, Sambar, Four horned Antelope, Chital and a host of birds, notably the Trogar, Pied Hornbill and several types of Eagles may be seen.
#Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary in Tirunelveli District is part of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve‎. This km2 to mi2|223.58|abbr=yes forest consists of mostly tropical wet evergreen forests which change to tropical dry deciduous forests in the foothills and to thorn forests further down. This sanctuary is famous for Lion-tailed macaque. All four species (common Langur, Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaque and lion tailed Macaque) can be seen. . Other animals include Nilgiri tahr, sambar, sloth bear, gaur, Indian elephant, tiger, flying squirrel, panther, Dhole, pangolin and a variety of birds and reptiles.
#Mundanthurai Sanctuary km2 to mi2|282.08|abbr=yes in Tirunelveli District, is part of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
#Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary is a km2 to mi2|457.78|abbr=yes tiger habitat in Kanyakumari district declared a sanctuary in February 2008.
#Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Nilgiris district is contiguous with Mudumalai National Park. It consists of km2 to mi2|217.76|abbr=yes primarily moist deciduous forest which becomes dry deciduous towards Bandipur including mainly mixed forests with bamboos. Animals including Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Chital, Dhole Panther, Tiger, Sloth bear, Python, Barking deer, Four-horned antelope, common Langur, Otter, Crocodiles (mugger) and a variety of birds and reptiles may be seen.
#Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary, a km2 to mi2|16.41|abbr=yes Black Buck Antelope sanctuary in Thoothukudi District, is a Scrub forest where Black Buck, Spotted deer, macaques, Jungle cat, Mongoose, and Hares may be seen. [Tamil nadu Forest Dept. [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/ws_home.html Wildlife Sanctuaries] ]

As of 2006 there were an additional 18 proposed sanctuaries totaling km2 to mi2|2957.52|abbr=yes awaiting declaration.
*05B Barbetta km2 to mi2|200.00|abbr=yes
*05B Kanjiramalai (Bolampatti) km2 to mi2|95.00|abbr=yes
*06E Karaandamalai-Sirumalai km2 to mi2|30.00|abbr=yes
*06E Kaveri km2 to mi2|1336.02|abbr=yes
*06E Kazhiveli km2 to mi2|10.00|abbr=yes
*05A Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary is a km2 to mi2|457.78|abbr=yes tiger habitat in Kanyakumari district declared a sanctuary in February 2008.*05A KEERIPARAI km2 to mi2|20.00|abbr=yes
*05B Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary is a km2 to mi2|736.87|abbr=yes proposed consolidation of several Reserve forests located in the km2 to mi2|2068|abbr=yes Palni Hills. The Forest Department is working to establish the sanctuary in 2007 [ Tamil Nadu Ministry of Environment and Forests, Policy note, 2006-2007, Demand No. 15, Forest Dept., Page 4. [http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/archives/policy2006-07/pdf/environment_forest.pdf|Policy note, 2006-2007, Demand No. 15] .]
*06E Krishnapuram km2 to mi2|24.46|abbr=yes
*06E Marakaram km2 to mi2|5.00|abbr=yes
*05B MEGAMALAI km2 to mi2|573.46|abbr=yes
*06E Nellai km2 to mi2|511.95|abbr=yes
*08B Pitchavaram km2 to mi2|13.50|abbr=yes
*06E SalemALEM km2 to mi2|30.00|abbr=yes
*06E Sandal km2 to mi2|100.00 |abbr=yes
*05A Suchindramkulam km2 to mi2|4.42|abbr=yes
*05B Sujjalkuttai km2 to mi2|243.71|abbr=yes
*06E Varushanad km2 to mi2|50.00|abbr=yescite web
url= http://www.wii.gov.in/nwdc/list_proposedwls.pdf
author= National Wildlife Data Center
publisher= Wildlife Institute of India
date= 2006
title= List of Proposed Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
retrieval date= 3/26/2007]

Elephant Sanctuaries

Tamil Nadu is a major participant in Project Elephant. It has 5 Elephant Sanctuaries covering km2 to mi2|7940|abbr=yes with 6776 Elephants enumerated in 2005, 19 Elephant corridors and 4 inter-state corridors linking to Elephant Sanctuaries in Karnataka. [Ministry of Environment and Forests, 2005. [http://envfor.nic.in/pe/pe.html Project Elephant] ] There are 14 Forest Dept. Divisions containing Elephants. [Asian Nature Conservation Foundation, Maps & Data. [http://www.asiannature.org/gis.html Forest Divisions of South India bearing Elephants] ]
#Nilgiri Elephant Reserve, km2 to mi2|4663|abbr=yes, Protected area km2 to mi2|716|abbr=yes, Elephant population 1938, contiguous with Wayanad Reserve in Kerala, Mysore reserve in Karnataka and Rayala reserve in Andhra Pradesh, established 2003.
#Coimbatore Elephant Reserve, km2 to mi2|566|abbr=yes, Protected area km2 to mi2|482|abbr=yes, Elephant population 132, contiguous with Nilambur Reserve in Kerala, established 2003.
#Anamalai Elephant Reserve km2 to mi2|1457|abbr=yes, Protected area km2 to mi2|300|abbr=yes, Elephant population 680, contiguous with Anamalai Reserve in Kerala, established 2003.
#Srivilliputtur Elephant Reserve, km2 to mi2|1249|abbr=yes, Protected area km2 to mi2|568|abbr=yes, Elephant population 223, contiguous with Periyar Reserve in Kerala, established 2002.
#Rejuvenation Camp for Temple and Private Elephants of Tamilnadu is km2 to mi2|5|abbr=yes in Mudumalai Sanctuary at Theppakkadu. Mudumalai was chosen as location of the rejuvenation camp because it operates the finest elephant camp in the country with 26 elephants belonging to the Forest Department. 55 elephants participated in the rejuvenation camp in 2003. In addition, an elephant rescue centre in Kandiyur Reserve Forest, Bhavani River bed in Mettupalayam Range of Coimbatore division in an area of 50 acres has been proposed. [Tamil Nadu Forest Dept. [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/ProjectPrograms/About_wildlife_schemes.html REHABILITATION AND RESCUE CENTRE FOR THE TEMPLE, PRIVATE AND RESCUED ELEPHANTS] ]

Tiger Reserves

#Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve - Established in 1962, this km2 to mi2|900|abbr=yes reserve in Tirunelveli district is now part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. It was adopted by Project Tiger in 1988. [Project Tiger [http://projecttiger.nic.in/kalakad.htm /Kalakkad] ] The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) has developed and implemented a conservation intervention program here. [Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment [http://www.atree.org/conliv_kmtr.html Community interventions in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve] ] A comprehensive report on the history, flora & fauna, ecology and future of the reserve is available. [Johnsingh, A. J. T., Wildlife Institute of India, "The Kalakad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: A global heritage of biological diversity", CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 80, NO. 3, 10 FEBRUARY 2001. [http://tejas.serc.iisc.ernet.in/~currsci/feb102001/437.pdf Kalakad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve] ]
#Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary is a km2 to mi2|457.78|abbr=yes tiger habitat in Kanyakumari district declared a sanctuary in February 2008.
#Mukurthi National Park is the km2 to mi2|78.46|abbr=yes home to an array of endangered wildlife, including Royal Bengal Tiger and Asian Elephant. Its main attraction is the Nilgiri Tahr an important prey species of the tigers.

Bird Sanctuaries

There are 13 bird sanctuaries in Tamilandu. [Tamil Nadu Department of Environment (2006) State of the Environment, retrieved 9/9/2007 [http://www.environment.tn.nic.in/soe/soe_report.htm Report] ] , [Tamil Nadu Forest Dept. [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/birdsanctuaries.html bird sanctuaries] ]
#Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|.48|abbr=yes sanctuary in Ramanathapuram District is home to Spot-billed Pelicans, Cormorants, Egrets, Grey heron, Spoon-billed Stork. coord|9|19|48|N|78|29|23|E [UNEP [http://www.unep-wcmc.org/wdpa/sitedetails.cfm?siteid=308582&level=nat] ]
#Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|1.04|abbr=yes sanctuary in Ramanathapuram District is home to Cormorants, egrets, grey heron, Spoon-billed Storks, teals and pelicans.
#Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|4.54|abbr=yes sanctuary in Perambalur District is home to Egrets, Pelican, Grey Heron, White Ibis and Common Spoonbills.
#Karikili Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|.612|abbr=yes sanctuary in Kancheepuram Districtis home to Cormorants, Egrets, Grey heron, Spoon-billed Stork.
#Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|1.2933|abbr=yes in Nanguneri Taluk of Tirunelveli district is the largest reserve for breeding water birds in South India and attracts more than 100,000 birds annually.
#Melaselvanur - Kilaselvanur Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|5.93|abbr=yes sanctuary in Ramanathapuram District is home to Grey pelican and Painted Stork. [ Migratory birds flock to Vettangudi Sanctuary, The Hindu, 9/11/2005. [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/11/09/stories/2004110912380500.htm Vettangudi] ]
#Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is a km2 to mi2|17.26|abbr=yes Bird Sanctuary In Point Calimere, Thanjavur district. It consists of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests and mangroves. The sanctuary is famous for its flamingos and Black Buck Antelope. A large variety of water birds including Teals, Gulls, Terns, Plovers and Stilts can be seen during winter months. Mammals include Chital, Wild Boar. The water birds of the great swamp and the dolphins and turtles that often come close to the shore are important attractions.
#Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|461.02|abbr=yes sanctuary in Pulicat, Thiruvallur District is the second largest brackish-water eco-system on the East Coast of India. Many Greater Flamingos can be seen here.
#Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary is km2 to mi2|.45|abbr=yes is in Tiruvarur District. It is home to Little cormorant, darter, spoon bill, Indian Reef Heron, Grey heron, whitenecked stork
#Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|1.28|abbr=yes sanctuary is 14 km from Mannargudi towards Thanjavur in Nagapattinam district It consist of a fresh water lake with a few trees, mainly Babul. There are 33 different species of birds including: River tern, Black-headed munia, Grey heron, White-breasted kingfisher Spotted Dove and more. Annual rainfall is about 1400 mm. The nearest airport is at Thiruchirapalli and the nearest Railway station is Thanjavur. There is a Rest House at Mannargudi. For greater details contact the Wildlife Warden, 110 Public Offices Road, Nagapattinam – 611 001. Tamil Nadu Forest Dept., Bird Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/bs_vadubs.html Vaduvoor] ]
#Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|.3|abbr=yes sanctuary in Kancheepuram District is home to Cormorants, egrets, gray heron, Spoon-bill Stork and migratory birds such as Garganey, Teals, Shovallers
#Vellode Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|.772|abbr=yes sanctuary in Erode District] is home to Spoon bills, teals, pintail ducks, and darters.
#Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary This km2 to mi2|.344|abbr=yes near Thirupattur in Sivaganga district has attracted more than 8,000 migratory birds belonging to 217 species, mostly from European and North Asian countries. The species included white ibis, Asian openbill stork and night heron. It has also attracted indigenous, endangered species such as painted stork, grey heron, darter, little cormorant, little egret, intermediate egret, cattle egret, common teal, spotbills, pintail and flamingos. The Government has allotted Rs. 9 lakhs for the Vettangudi Sanctuary to improve infrastructure for tourists.
*Viralimalai Peacock Sanctuary is in the small town of Viralimalai, situated 30-km from Thiruchirapalli and 40-km from Pudukkottai. It is known for its Murugan temple and the adjacent Peacock Sanctuary. The town is bestowed with a large number of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple. [TAMILNADU TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM,retrieved 5/21/2007 [http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/wildlife/SanctuariesParks/VWFTiruchirapalli.aspx?catid=C5&subcat1id=C5S1&subcat2id=C5S1S9&sm=C5S1S9 Viralimalai Sanctuaries] ] The town, Temple and Peacock Sanctuary have been declared and funded as a Heritage Place by order of the Governor. [Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (PR.2) Department, G.O. (Ms) No.19, Dated: 23.1.2008 [http://www.tnrd.gov.in/Pt_Raj/linkfiles/19-23.1.2008.re.pdf|Declaring Viralimalai as a heritage place] ]
* Kallaperambur lake coord|10|47|51|N|79|01|36|E near Thanjavur has recently been declared as a bird sanctuary by the Forest department. Improvement works remain to be undertaken in the lake. [The Hindu, [http://www.hindu.com] , Dec 15, 2005]

=Conservation reserves and community reserves=

#Tiruvidaimarudur Conservation Reserve is in the km2 to mi2|.0284|abbr=yes compound of the Mahalingha Swamy Siva temple [Indian Temples [http://www.indiantemples.com/Tamilnadu/mahatiru.html Mahatiru] ] in Tiruvidaimarudur village, Thanjavur District. Over 400 Little Egrets, Pond heron and Painted Stork nest and feed in this area adjacent to the Tamiraparani river, 10 km. from Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. [Tamil Nadu Forest Dept (2007) Wild Biodiversity, retrieved 9/9/2007 [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/cr_tcr.html Tiruppadaimarathur Conservation Reserve] ]

Reserved Forests

Forests cover over 17% of the state's geographical area. WikiMapia: [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=10995120&x=79035645&z=7&l=0&m=h&v=2 Satelite View of Tamil Nadu] ]
Satellite views: [http://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/w.cgi?c=in&UF=-2096436&UN=-2910867&DG=RESF|Godumalai Reserved Forest] , [http://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/w.cgi?c=in&UF=-2096354&UN=-2910746&DG=RESF|Gir Forest] , [http://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/w.cgi?c=in&UF=-2099508&UN=-2914945&DG=RESF Kanjamalai Reserved Forest] , [http://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/w.cgi?c=in&UF=-2110734&UN=-2929946&DG=RESF Semmalai Reserved Forest] , [http://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/w.cgi?c=in&UF=-2113225&UN=-2933304&DG=RESF Tirttamalai Reserved Forest] .
*Ajjampati Reserved Forest
*Arasadi Arivetti Reserved Forest
*Ayyur Reserved Forest
*Bailnad Reserved Forest
*Belur Reserved Forest
*Bothakkadu Reserved Forest
*Chitteri Extension Reserved Forest
*Chitteri Reserved Forest
*Godumalai Reserved Forest
*Jadaa Gaundan Slopes Reserved Forest
*Jalluttu Reserved Forest
*Karavallikkombai Reserved Forest
*Kottappatti Reserved Forest
*Kuttar Extension Reserved Forest
*Lokur Reserved Forest
*Manmalai Reserved Forest
*Mattikottai Reserved Forest
*Mavar Reserved Forest
*Nagalur Reserved Forest
*Nochikuttai Reserved Forest
*Paittur Reserved Forest
*Pallippatti Reserved Forest
*Parigam Reserved Forest
*Sittilingi Reserved Forest
*Takari Reserved Forest
*Thombal Reserved Forest
*Toppur Reserved Forest
*Varagur Reserved Forest

A useful source naming many Reserve forests is detailed Topographic Maps of India. [ US Army Map Service Series U 502, India, 1959 [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/india/ India Maps] ,]

Zoos

There are 2 zoos recognised by the Central Zoo Authority of India in Tamil Nadu.
#Arignar Anna Zoological Park is km2 to mi2|5.10|abbr=yes in Chennai.
#Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, a reptile zoo and herpetology research station, located 40km south of Chennai. [Tamil Nadu Forest Dept. [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/zp_aazp.html Zoos] ]

Five unrecognised mini zoos stimulate public awareness of wildlife conservation.
#Amirthi zoo, Vellore Division, Vellore district
#Kurumpampatti Wildlife Park, Salem district
#Yercaud Deer Park, Salem district
#Mukkombu Deer Park, Tiruchirapalli district
#Ooty Deer Park, Nilgiris district

Crocodile Farms

There are five Crocodile farms in Tamil Nadu, four under the control of Forest Department. [TNU/WLTCrocFarm, ENVIS [http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/crocodile/tnadu.htm TNU Crocodile Farms] ]
#Amaravati Sagar Crocodile Farm in Pollachi Division, Coimbatore district
#Hogenakkal Crocodile Bank, Dharmapuri district.
# [http://wikimapia.org/1445297/ Kurumbapatti] Crocodile farm in Salem Division.
#Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, a private Herpetology research station, was established in 1976 for the conservation and study of India's three endangered Crocodilians: the Mugger Crocodile, the Gharial, and the Saltwater Crocodile. Thousands of these reptiles have been reintroduced into the wild.
#Sathanur Dam Crocodile Bank, Tirupattur Division, Tiruvannamalai district

Other Protected areas

*Communal forests:
*Private protected areas:
*Conservation areas:

Regional Cooperation

Senior forestry officials cooperate on mutual issues concerning conservation and protection of forests and wildlife of the region. A regular conference of the forest ministers and forest officials of the southern states is held once a year, in rotation in each State.

The Forest Ministers of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, senior officials of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, Forest Secretaries of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Special Secretary for Forests, Andhra Pradesh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, together with the senior forest officials of these states and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, met at Thiruvananthapuram on November 3 and 4, 2006 and resolved several mutual issues concerning conservation and protection of forests and wildlife of the region.

This formalization of interstate cooperation on protected areas administration improves effectiveness in the areas of: daily staff communication including common wireless frequencies, joint enforcement action, boundary survey and demarcation, management of cross border resources like Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Tiger reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries, technology, staff and intelligence sharing and coordinated communication with the Govt. of India, especially allotting more funds for conservation and forestation activities of State Forest Departments by the Union Government. [CONFERENCE OF THE FOREST MINISTERS OF SOUTHERN STATES, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 3 – 4 November 2006 [http://www.keralaforest.org/RESOLUTIONp.pdf Resolution] ]

The second meeting was held at Bangalore on September 21 and 22, 2007. [ [http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/22/stories/2007092253570400.htm Two-day meet of Forest Ministers concludes] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/aboutus.html About Tamil Nadu Department of Forests]
* [http://www.unep.org/pdf/un-list-protected-areas.pdf page 13, United Nations List of National Parks and Protected Areas: India (2002)]
* [http://www.wii.gov.in/envis/envis_pa_network/index.htm Ministry of Forests and Environment Protected Areas]
* [http://www.envfor.nic.in/report/0102/chap03.html Ministry of Environment and Forests, 2006 Report]

ee also

*
*Protected areas of Himachal Pradesh
*Protected areas of Kerala
*Protected areas of West Bengal