Discover India’s First Hornbill Conservation Centre at Annamalai Tiger Reserve: A New Hope for Wildlife in Tamil Nadu!

Chennai, July 22 (IANS): Exciting news for wildlife lovers! The Tamil Nadu government is launching the country’s first Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Aanamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Coimbatore. This is a significant move to protect biodiversity in the region.

Hornbills, often called the “farmers of the forest,” play a vital role in spreading seeds and helping forests grow. Sadly, they are facing serious challenges due to factors like deforestation, shrinking habitats, and climate change.

To combat these threats, the Tamil Nadu Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests has set aside ₹1 crore from the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund for this new centre. It will focus on four hornbill species found in the Western Ghats: the Great Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill.

The centre will engage in important tasks such as mapping habitats, monitoring nesting sites, and studying the effects of climate change. They will also work on restoring damaged forests by planting native trees like figs and canarium, which are crucial food sources for hornbills.

A government announcement highlighted ATR’s rich biodiversity and its proven record in protecting endangered species, including tigers and elephants, making it an ideal location for this initiative.

A key component of this project is community involvement. Local people will play a significant role through nest adoption schemes, scholarships for students, and opportunities for livelihoods like seed collection. This approach ensures that conservation benefits everyone in the area.

The project will also offer outreach activities, educational visits for students, and training for forest staff. It aims to foster a culture of conservation in local communities.

Furthermore, the centre will work alongside respected conservation organizations, such as the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History and the Wildlife Institute of India, to enhance its research and impact.

In addition to efforts at Annamalai, the government plans to expand hornbill conservation to other vital areas like the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) and the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR). These initiatives will include habitat mapping and community-driven conservation projects.

With this comprehensive approach, Tamil Nadu takes a crucial step toward ensuring the survival of hornbills and the health of its unique ecosystems. As more conservation programs like this are developed, the hope is that we can restore our forests and protect their inhabitants for generations to come.

To learn more about biodiversity conservation, you can visit the [International Union for Conservation of Nature](https://www.iucn.org) for additional resources and insights.

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