The Tamil Nadu government recently declared 80,114.80 hectares of reserve forests in Bargur Hills, Erode district, as the Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This declaration was made in the 2023 State Budget and is a significant step in conservation efforts in the region.
Geographic Significance:
- The Bargur Hills serve as a crucial link between the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve and the Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary.
- This region holds a prominent position in the Eastern Ghats, merging with the Western Ghats at the Nilgiris.
Diverse Flora and Fauna:
- The newly designated sanctuary boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna, providing an ideal habitat for various life forms.
- It is interconnected with the Kollegal forests of Karnataka and the Nilgiris, creating one of the most diverse habitats in the region.
Conservation Corridor:
- The sanctuary forms part of the corridor connecting the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) to the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Tiger Reserve and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Recognized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, it plays a crucial role in maintaining a viable tiger population.
Biodiversity and Conservation Importance:
- Included in the Nilgiris Elephant Reserve, the area hosts a healthy population of large herbivores, including elephants and the Indian Gaur.
- The landscape is a catchment for the Palar River, contributing significantly to the Cauvery River and serving as a vital water source for agricultural activities.
Cultural and Historical Significance:
- Beyond its ecological importance, the Bargur Hills hold cultural and historical significance for tribal and local communities.
- These communities rely on the ecosystems for their livelihoods and traditional practices.
Exclusions and Inclusions:
- Forest areas within North Bargur, South Bargur, Thamaraikarai, South Bargur Part 844, Ennamangalam, and the Nagalur reserve forest area are included in the sanctuary.
- Six tribal habitations and roads connecting these habitations have been excluded.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the recent declaration made by the Tamil Nadu government?
- a) Creation of a new city
- b) Establishment of a wildlife sanctuary
- c) Introduction of a new agricultural policy
- d) None of the above
- Which regions do the Bargur Hills connect according to the announcement?
- a) Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats
- b) Nilgiris and Erode
- c) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and Male Mahadeshwara Hills Tiger Reserve
- d) Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary and Kollegal forests
- What is the Bargur Hills’ role in tiger conservation?
- a) Hosting a zoo for tigers
- b) Providing a corridor for tiger movement
- c) Initiating tiger breeding programs
- d) None of the above
- Apart from tigers, what other large herbivores inhabit the Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary?
- a) Giraffes
- b) Elephants and Indian Gaur
- c) Zebras
- d) Rhinoceros
- What is the Bargur Hills’ significance for local communities?
- a) Recreational area
- b) Economic hub
- c) Source of cultural and historical importance
- d) Industrial zone