Chennai, 8 October 2025
Marking another milestone in its journey of biodiversity protection, the Tamil Nadu Government today notified Nagamalai Hillock in Erode District, spanning 32.22.50 hectares, as the State's fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). It was notified under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, Ms Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and the Forest Department, announced today. By declaring Nagamalai Hillock as a Biodiversity Heritage Site, Tamil Nadu reaffirms its leadership in conservation and sustainable heritage management, safeguarding the biodiversity, ecological role, and cultural significance of this landscape for future generations, she said. This follows the notification of Arittapatti in November 2022, Kasampatti in March 2025, and Elathur Lake in August 2025.
Tamil Nadu has consistently advanced efforts to protect biodiversity through several pioneering initiatives. With 20 Ramsar sites, the State has achieved the highest number in India, established dedicated conservation funds for endangered species and taken steps to secure ecologically sensitive areas. The notification of Nagamalai Hillock as the fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site marks another milestone in Tamil Nadu's journey of biodiversity protection. Biodiversity Heritage Sites are ecologically significant areas that support unique and fragile ecosystems. They protect rare, threatened, and keystone species, preserve evolutionary importance, and reinforce cultural ties with nature.
Recognition as a BHS instils pride among local communities, strengthens conservation ethics, and ensures that traditional livelihoods thrive alongside ecological sustainability. Importantly, BHS status does not restrict traditional practices or customary usage by local communities. Instead, it enhances ecological balance and improves the quality of life, she said. Nagamalai Hillock is an ecological hotspot and a vital habitat for migratory and resident birds, aquatic species, and diverse wetland ecosystems. Its landscape of deep waters, shallow margins, mudflats and rocky stretches supports rich biodiversity. Surveys, including the Tamil Nadu Synchronised Bird Census (2024), have recorded 138 plant species, 118 bird species (30 migratory and 88 resident), seven mammals, 11 reptiles, five spiders, and 71 insects, Ms Supriya Sahu said. Flagship species include the Greater Spotted Eagle, Pallid Harrier, and Benelli's Eagle. The flora comprises 138 plant species, 125 dicots and 13 monocots spanning 48 families and 114 genera, she noted.
In addition to its ecological value, Nagamalai Hillock holds significant archaeological and cultural importance. Evidence from cairn circles of the Iron Age, rock shelters, and artefacts of ancient significance highlight its historical depth. A 400-year-old stone carving of Lord Anjaneya, recorded by the Archaeology Department, underscores its cultural heritage. The Elathur Town Panchayat passed a resolution on January 22, 202,5, supporting the notification, reflecting strong local conservation values, and the District Collector endorsed the notification through a letter dated January 28, 2025. The protection of this site secures ecological benefits while sustaining cultural traditions and heritage values linked to the ecosystem.
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