The Government of Tamil Nadu has embarked on an initiative to develop a biodiversity park in the ecologically sensitive area of Sirumalai Hill Range, located in the Dindigul district. This development aims to foster awareness on the importance of sustainable environmental management practices in preserving our ecosystem. This park is slated to become a beacon of preservation, education, and cultural understanding while enhancing the overall quality of the environment.
Key Features of the Biodiversity Park
One of the park’s primary attributes is its capacity to house and protect the natural heritage endemic to the area. It will cater to various biodiversity components, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. To further enrich the experience, different species of flowering plants have been strategically planted throughout the park, with provisions for necessary irrigation. Plans are also underway to introduce nectar plants to attract butterflies, along with host plants.
Understanding the Concept of a Biodiversity Park
A biodiversity park is an exquisite piece of wilderness that mimics the ecological structure of a particular region by recreating biological communities of native plant and animal species. The fundamental premise of such a park rests on establishing self-sustaining ecosystems that flaunt the unique flora and fauna characteristic to the region. It serves several objectives:
- Raising awareness about biological diversity and its significance amongst forest stakeholders, public, and students.
- Preserving plant diversity, particularly species that are endangered, threatened, or crucial for human survival.
- Establishing a gene bank to conserve rare and endemic plant species.
- Creating a carbon sink comprising indigenous species to counter problems like global warming and climate change for future generations.
- Promoting a culture of conservation and appreciation of natural resources and its management amongst the masses.
- Providing livelihood opportunities to local communities, especially indigenous tribes typically associated with the forest ecosystem.
Exploring the Sirumalai Hill Range
The Sirumalai Hills, a spur of the Eastern Ghats, sprawl over an area of 60,000 acres in the Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu. With an altitude varying from 400 to 1,650 meters from mean sea level, these hills are situated about 25 kilometers away from the Dindigul town. The region is known for its numerous rare and endemic plants.
The lower hill range incorporates highly disturbed scrub forests, while tropical mixed dry deciduous forest occupies the middle range. Semi-evergreen forests are found at higher elevations, and woodland savannahs extend along the slopes at higher altitudes.
Flora and Fauna of the Sirumalai Hill Range
The region is home to an array of wildlife including the Gaur, Leopard, spotted deer, mouse deer, barking deer, Jackal, Sloth Bear, wild boar, Indian pangolin, slender loris, and various species of reptiles and birds.
This biodiversity park in the Sirumalai Hill Range serves as a testament to the Tamil Nadu Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and conservation, which ensures that future generations will have the opportunity to appreciate the rich biodiversity this region uniquely offers.
Source: DTE
