Forest and Biodiversity

1. Forest and Biodiversity • Current Status • Conservation Efforts • Challenges of Managing the Sector • Institutions Managing Forests and Biodiversity in Tamil Nadu • Key Policies and Programs • Impact of Climate Change on Forests and Biodiversity • Strategies

2. Forest and Biodiversity Current Status • Forests cover 18.16 percent of forest area recorded and 3.82 percent of geographical area. • Between 2007-2009-Increase in area of dense forests, medium dense forests; decrease in shrub forests and open forests. • Mangrove vegetation-39 sq. km; bridge between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; natural protection against disasters; rich areas of biodiversity • Protected Areas constitute 5465 sq. km, which is 23.9% of State Forest area. • Teak wood production increased 33 times, pulp wood production marginally increased, decrease in production of sandalwood and fuel wood. • Tamil Nadu-wetland rich State-12.88 percent and Puducherry- 6.92percent

5. Forest and Biodiversity Conservation efforts • 1) Protected Areas-cover 5465 sq. km, which is 23.9% of State Forest area- 10 wildlife sanctuaries, 6 tiger reserves, 4 elephant reserves, 14 bird sanctuaries, 5 National Parks; • Nilgiri Biosphere- 5,520 sq. km, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere-10,500 sq. km • 2) Urban Forestry-Tamil Nadu tree planting program under State and Centrally Sponsored schemes by Municipalities and Corporations; the concept of Honorary Tree Wardens for the Corporation Zones • 3) Wetlands-Ramsar Site- Point Calimere Sanctuary, Panchanadikulam Wetland, Thalainayar Reserved Forest and Muthupet Mangroves.

6. Forest and Biodiversity Challenges of Managing Sector • Encroachment of forestlands- 14682 hectares forest area under encroachment • Degradation of habitats • Forest Fires-outer slope elevation up to 350mts worst affected • Natural disasters-Mangrove depletion due to shrimp farming • Threats to the sacred groves • Human-animal conflict • Illicit removal of fire wood, bamboo, Minor Forest Produce (MFP), timber etc- 1988 National Forest Policy • Engagement of tribal communities in forest conservation • Illegal trade in flora and fauna • Depleting Non Timber Forest Produce(NTFP) • Meeting fuel wood demand • Depletion of Gulf of Mannar-dynamite farming, mechanized boats, destructive nets

7. Forest and Biodiversity Institutions Managing Forests and Biodiversity in Tamil Nadu 1) State Environment Department- The Directorate of Environment • State Level Coastal Zone • Management Authority • Environment Management Agency of Tamil Nadu(EMAT) • The Environmental Information System(ENVIS) 2) National Biodiversity Authority(NBA) and State Biodiversity Board(SBB) • NBA-India’s Biological Diversity Act, 2002 • SBB- Advising the State Government on matters relating to the conservation of biodiversity; Regulating grants for utilization of resources. • Local level Biodiversity Management Committees

8. Forest and Biodiversity Key Policies and Programs 1)Forest Conservation- in line with National Forest Policy(1988) • Acts- Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882 (For protection and management of Forest); Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (For the protection of the Wild Animals, Birds and Plants); Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 • Rules- Tamil Nadu Timber Transit Rules, 1968; Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Transit Rules, Tamil Nadu Hill Areas (Preservation of Trees) Rules, 1957; Tamil Nadu Preservation of Private Forest Rules, 1946 2) Other Programs and Schemes • State funded-Nature Conservation; Community Waste Land Development Program; Tamil Nadu Afforestation Project (Phase II) • Center funded-Project Elephant; Project Tiger [KMTR / ATR / MTR]; Conservation and Management of Biosphere Reserves

9. Forest and Biodiversity Impact of Climate Change on Forests and Biodiversity • Impact on Forests-vulnerable to Climate change • Impact on Forest Soils-climate change and conversion to agricultural lands high risk of soil degradation • Impacts on grassland, mangroves, wetland, and coral reefs-increase in CO2 fosters C4 plants; Mangrove destruction due to increase in sea level • Implications of climate change on Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve-Bleaching of Coral reefs; Change in fish habitats • Traditional Agriculture-fast disappearing • Pastoralists in Tamil Nadu-dearth in documentation of practices • Impact on traditional honey tappers-local deforestation as well as climate change are impacting honey tapping habitats • Impact of Non-Timber Forest Produce(NTFP)-increase in temperature, decrease in rainfall to effect quantity and quality of NTFP.

10. Forest and Biodiversity Strategies • Increase the forest cover, both inside and outside notified forest areas • Enhancing Conservation efforts to sustain biodiversity- terrestrial and marine • Creation of plant diversity register of Tamil Nadu forests for documentation and associated traditional knowledge • Undertake Lower strata diversification • Management of forest fires and alien invasive species (AIS) • Build capacity to address climate change by supporting innovation and Research to address the impacts of climate change on forest & biodiversity and ecosystem services • Undertake awareness generation and capacity building activities that prepares institutions and communities to address the climate change concerns • Other specific research and capacity building activities