The Tamil Nadu government has recently announced the creation of India’s first Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation. This centre is located at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Coimbatore district. Hornbills are vital to forest ecosystems as they disperse seeds and aid forest regeneration. Their populations face threats from deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change. The government has allocated ₹1 crore for this initiative under the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund.
Significance of Hornbills in Forest Ecology
Hornbills are often called farmers of the forest because they disperse seeds of many native trees. This helps maintain forest health and biodiversity. Four hornbill species found in the Western Ghats are the focus – Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill. Protecting these keystone species benefits many other plants and animals in the ecosystem.
Location and Selection of Anamalai Tiger Reserve
Anamalai Tiger Reserve was chosen due to its rich biodiversity and excellent conservation record. It already protects endangered species like tigers, elephants, and lion-tailed macaques. The reserve has good infrastructure and experience in wildlife management, making it suitable for the Centre of Excellence.
Core Activities of the Conservation Centre
The Centre will undertake habitat mapping and nest monitoring to study hornbill populations. Scientific research will assess how climate change impacts hornbills and their habitats. Restoration efforts will include planting native trees such as fig and canarium, which provide food and nesting sites for hornbills. Data collection will use modern tools like geotagging and phenological studies.
Community Involvement and Capacity Building
Local communities will play a key role through nest adoption schemes and sustainable livelihood options like seed collection. Scholarships will support students interested in conservation. The project also aims to build skills among forest staff and raise public awareness. Activities will include field visits for schoolchildren and outreach programmes to encourage community support.
Collaboration with National and International Organisations
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department will work with expert bodies such as the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Nature Conservation Foundation, Wildlife Institute of India, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Hornbill Specialist Group. This collaboration will enhance scientific knowledge and conservation practices.
Expansion to Other Protected Areas
Similar conservation efforts will be extended to other tiger reserves like Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Parts of Kanyakumari district will also benefit. Activities in these areas will include habitat mapping, tree geotagging, phenological observations, and community-based conservation initiatives.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the role of keystone species in maintaining forest ecosystems with suitable examples.
- Comment on the impact of community participation in wildlife conservation projects in India.
- What are the challenges posed by climate change to biodiversity conservation? How can scientific research aid in addressing these challenges?
- Explain the significance of inter-agency collaboration in biodiversity conservation. Illustrate with examples from Indian conservation initiatives.
