TAMIL NADU
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
EXTRAORDINARY
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
©
[Regd. No. TN/CCN/467/2012-14.
GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU
[R. Dis. No. 197/2009.
2022
[Price: Re. 0.80 Paise.
No. 523]
CHENNAI, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2022
Karthigai 6, Subakiruthu, Thiruvalluvar Aandu-2053
Part II—Section 2
Notifi cations or Orders of interest to a Section of the public
issued by Secretariat Departments.
NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT
II-2 Ex. (523)
[ 1 ]
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,
காÄ¿Öைக 5, ĀபÐĉĄ, ÖĉவÈčவÄ ஆ¾Ă-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.