ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORESTS DEPARTMENT - Notification of Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site in Madurai District under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002

No. 523] CHENNAI, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2022 Karthigai 6, Subakiruthu, Thiruvalluvar Aandu-2053

Part II—Section 2

Notifications or Orders of interest to a Section of the public

issued by Secretariat Departments.

NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT

ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORESTS DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATION OF ARITTAPATTI BIODIVERSITY HERITAGE SITE IN MADURAI DISTRICT UNDER THE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT, 2002

[G.O. Ms. No.201, Environment, Climate Change and Forests (FR.5), 21st November 2022,

கார்த்திகை 5, சுபகிருது, திருவள்ளுவர் ஆண்டு-2053.]

No.II(2)/ECCF/878(c)/2022.

WHEREAS, any ecosystems – Aquatic, terrestrial and marine having rich biodiversity comprising wild as well as domesticated species, endemic species rare and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary signifi cance, distinctive forest types, sacred groves, medical plant conservation areas, preservation plots maintained by the Forest Department, corridors for Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) species of fl ora and fauna, wild ancestors of domestic / cultivated species or their varieties past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having signifi cant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values and are important for the maintenance of cultural diversity can be declared as Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) in the State under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Central Act 18 of 2003).

AND WHEREAS, few hillocks in Arittapatti village of Madurai District, has a rich biological and historical signifi cance with the presence of around 250 bird species including 3 fl agship Raptor species – Laggar Falcon (Falco jugger), Shaheen Falcon (Falco peregrines), Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata) and wildlife like Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Python (Python molurus) and Slender Loris (Loris spp).

AND WHEREAS, Arittapatti consists of a chain of seven barren granite hillocks. The unique rocky hill scape functions as a watershed and supports 72 lakes, 200 natural spring pools and 3 check dams.

AND WHEREAS, the region is of historical importance and harbors several megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, Jain Beds and Rock-cut temples which are 2200 years old.

AND WHEREAS, to strengthen biodiversity conservation and to protect the area from rapid loss of biodiversity, the State Government upon recommendation of Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board has felt it necessary to declare the area as Arittapatti Bio Diversity Heritage Site.

AND WHEREAS, the Government of Tamil Nadu considers that the 7 inselbergs of Arittapatti in Madurai District described in the schedule below is of adequate biodiversity importance.

NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-Section (1) of section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Central Act 18 of 2003), the Governor of Tamil Nadu, in consultation with the local bodies, hereby notifi es the areas specifi ed in the Schedule below as a biodiversity heritage site:-

T(cid:3472)(cid:3469) S(cid:3467)(cid:3472)(cid:3469)(cid:3468)(cid:3485)(cid:3476)(cid:3469)

(1) Name of the Biodiversity Heritage Site : Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site

(2) Name of the district

: Madurai

(3) Number and Name of the Villages and Taluk : 74 Meenakshipuram Bit I,- Madurai East Taluk

54 Arittapatti – Melur Taluk

(4) Location

:

Sl. No. Number and Name of Village

Survey

Number

Extent

(in Hectares)

1 54.Arittapatti 379/1 139.230

379/2 0.405

2 74.Meenakshipuram Bit I 137 53.580

Total

193.215

SUPRIYA SAHU,

Additional Chief Secretary to Government.