Forest and Biodiversity 1) Current Status 2) Conservation Efforts 3) Challenges of Managing the Sector 4) Institutions Managing Forests and Biodiversity in Tamil Nadu 5) Key Policies and Programs 6) Impact of Climate Change on Forests and Biodiversity 7) Strategies

Forest and Biodiversity Current Status 1) Forests cover percent of forest area recorded and 3.82 percent of geographical area. 2) Between Increase in area of dense forests, medium dense forests; decrease in shrub forests and open forests. 3) Mangrove vegetation-39 sq. km; bridge between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; natural protection against disasters; rich areas of biodiversity 4) Protected Areas constitute 5465 sq. km, which is 23.9% of State Forest area. 5) Teak wood production increased 33 times, pulp wood production marginally increased, decrease in production of sandalwood and fuel wood. 6) Tamil Nadu-wetland rich State percent and Puducherry- 6.92percent

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.

Forest and Biodiversity Challenges of Managing Sector Encroachment of forestlands 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 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

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

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, ) 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

Forest and Biodiversity Impact of Climate Change on Forests and Biodiversity 1) Impact on Forests-vulnerable to Climate change 2) Impact on Forest Soils-climate change and conversion to agricultural lands high risk of soil degradation 3) Impacts on grassland, mangroves, wetland, and coral reefs-increase in CO2 fosters C4 plants; Mangrove destruction due to increase in sea level 4) Implications of climate change on Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve- Bleaching of Coral reefs; Change in fish habitats 5) Traditional Agriculture-fast disappearing 6) Pastoralists in Tamil Nadu-dearth in documentation of practices 7) Impact on traditional honey tappers-local deforestation as well as climate change are impacting honey tapping habitats 8) Impact of Non-Timber Forest Produce(NTFP)-increase in temperature, decrease in rainfall to effect quantity and quality of NTFP.

Forest and Biodiversity Strategies 1) Increase the forest cover, both inside and outside notified forest areas 2) Enhancing Conservation efforts to sustain biodiversity- terrestrial and marine 3) Creation of plant diversity register of Tamil Nadu forests for documentation and associated traditional knowledge 4) Undertake Lower strata diversification 5) Management of forest fires and alien invasive species (AIS) 6) Build capacity to address climate change by supporting innovation and Research to address the impacts of climate change on forest & biodiversity and ecosystem services 7) Undertake awareness generation and capacity building activities that prepares institutions and communities to address the climate change concerns 8) Other specific research and capacity building activities