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In Context
- Recently, the Tamil Nadu Government issued a notification declaring Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage site the first biodiversity heritage site in the State.
More about the Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage site
- About:
- The state government notified 193.215 hectares of area spread across Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in Madurai district as ‘Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site’.
- The declaration was made under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- The state government notified 193.215 hectares of area spread across Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in Madurai district as ‘Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site’.
- First in the state:
- This is the first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) notified in Tamil Nadu.
- Wildlife:
- Arittapatti village, known for its ecological and historical significance, houses around 250 species of birds including three flagship raptor species –
- Laggar Falcon , Shaheen Falcon, and Bonelli’s Eagle—and wildlife such as Indian pangolin, python, and slender loris.
- It is also home to wildlife such as the Indian Pangolin, Slender Loris and pythons.
- Arittapatti village, known for its ecological and historical significance, houses around 250 species of birds including three flagship raptor species –
- Chain of seven hillocks:
- The village Arittapatti consists of a chain of seven barren granite hillocks. The distinctive landscape of rocky hills acts as a watershed and supports 72 lakes, 200 natural spring pools, and three check dams.
- The Anaikondan tank, built during the reign of Pandiyan kings in the 16th century is one among them.
- The village Arittapatti consists of a chain of seven barren granite hillocks. The distinctive landscape of rocky hills acts as a watershed and supports 72 lakes, 200 natural spring pools, and three check dams.
- Other structures:
- The site also features various megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, Jain Beds, and 2,200-year-old rock-cut temples, lending it historical value.
Biodiversity Heritage Sites
- About:
- Biodiversity heritage sites are well-defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems with high diversity of wild and domesticated species, presence of rare and threatened species, and keystone species.
- Statute:
- The significance and aims of BHS are outlined in Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act of 2002.
- As per provision under Section 37(1) of ‘Biological Diversity Act, 2002’: The State Government may, from time to time in consultation with the local bodies, notify in the Official Gazette, areas of biodiversity importance as under this Act.
- First BHS of India:
- Nallur Tamarind Grove in Bengaluru, Karnataka was the first Biodiversity Heritage Site of India, declared in 2007.
- Significance:
- Creation of BHS may not put any restriction on the prevailing practices and usages of the local communities, other than those voluntarily decided by them.
- The purpose is to enhance the quality of life of the local communities through conservation measures.
Source: TH
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