| Tamilnadu is endowed with rich forests extending over an area of 22,877 sq. Kms. This constitutes 17.59% of the State's Geographilca area. The Western Ghats in this State is a repository of rich biddiversity in which several endangered and threatened flora and fauna are found. Tamil Nadu also possesses rich diversity in its mangroves and wetlands at Pitchavaram and Kodikarai. However one-third of the forest area is estimated to be degraded due to anthropogenic forces like illicit felling, over grazing and forest fire. |
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| The National Forest Policy ,1988 sets the basic objectives, essentials and strategies of forest management. The principal aim of this Policy is to ensure environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance including atmospheric equilibrium, which are vital for sustenance of all life forms, human, animal and plants. The derivation of direct economic benefit is to be subordinated to this principal aim. |
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| In tune with this, the forest in Tamil Nadu are managed with the following objectives: |
- Ensuring Environmental and Ecological stability of the State.
- Biodiversity, Wildlife and genetic resource Conservation.
- Rehabilitation and Restoration of Degraded Forests.
- Coastal Eco system conservation and management.
- Forest protection for resource management and augmentation.
- Enhancing tree cover outside forests for livehood security.
- Water augmentation through forest conservation and catchment are management.
- Tribal development to ensure economic prosperity and ecological stability.
- Technology support, Research and Development for scientific forest management.
- Forest extension for Tree cover enhancement, Outreach and Conservation education for wildlife management support.
- Forestry for Rural Energy security.
- Eco tourism for supporting conservation.
- Human Resource Development for Forestry Management.
- Climate Change mitigation.
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| Ecological stabilisation, protection of forests, wildlife conservation, conserving genetic resources and eco-systems and maintenance of all natural forests enhancing forest productivity and enrichment of the forests’ water resources and also increasing the forest and tree cover in the State constitute the main components of the State’s Forest Policy. The Following are the 11 thrust areas. |
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- Increase tree cover outside forests
- Increase forest / tree cover inside forests
- Biodiversity conservation
- Tribal development
- Coastal area management
- Catchments area management
- Forest protection
- Research and geographical information system
- Empowerment of women
- Human resources management
- Infrastructure development
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| The Following ten schemes form the core areas of the departmental plan |
- Implementation of Tamil Nadu Afforestation project is being done in 22 districts at a cost fo Rs 115.22 crores. This is the major plan scheme of the department.
- Scheme of raising tree species on private farm lands – budgets provision Rs 10 crores.
- Distribution of 22.5 lakh seedlings free of cost to small and marginal farmers budget provision – Rs 0.90 crores.
- Erection of solar powered fences over a length of 300km to prevent man animal conflict.
- Distribution of compensation for damages caused by wild animals.
- Urban afforestation in Chennai and other Municipal Corporations at a cost of Rs 4 crores to mitigate the effects of climate change.
- Distribution of 1,08,330 tree saplings to educational institution and Government hospital and health centers in municipal areas.
- Establishment of a night safari and butterfly park at Arignar Anna Zoological Park Vandalur.
- Implementation if NABARD assisted scheme for improving the infrastructure in 19 tribal schools run by the Forest department at a cost of Rs 5.07 crores.
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