Environment & Ecology
In News: The Tamil Nadu Government, issued a notification declaring Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in Madurai district the first biodiversity heritage site in the State.
Biodiversity Heritage sites (BHS):
- “Biodiversity Heritage Sites” (BHS) are well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems – terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and, marine having rich biodiversity comprising components such as
- species richness, high endemism, presence of threatened species, keystone species or land races, or biological components having cultural or aesthetic values.
- As per Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, State Governments are empowered to notify such sites, in consultation with ‘local bodies’.
- State Government in consultation with the Central Government may frame rules for the management and conservation.
- Significance:
- protecting its rich and exclusive ecosystem
- conservation ethics in the community
About Arittapatti:
- Arittapatti BHS is 139.63 hectares in Arittapatti village (Melur block) and 53.8 hectares in Meenakshipuram village (Madurai East taluk).
- Arittapatti village, known for its ecological and historical significance, houses around 250 species of birds including three important raptors – birds of prey, namely the Laggar Falcon, the Shaheen Falcon and Bonelli’s Eagle.
- It is also home to wildlife such as the Indian Pangolin, Slender Loris and pythons
- The area is surrounded by a chain of seven hillocks or inselbergs that serve as a watershed, charging “72 lakes, 200 natural springs and three check dams
- The Anaikondan tank, built during the reign of Pandiyan kings in the 16th century is one among them.
- Several megalithic structures, rock-cut temples, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions and Jain beds add to the historical significance of the region.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Q1.) The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of (2014)
- biosphere reserves
- botanical gardens
- national parks
- wildlife sanctuaries
