ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOREST DEPARTMENT--Notification of Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Sacred Grove as Biodiversity Heritage Site in Dindigul District of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

No. 115] CHENNAI, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025 Maasi 28, Kurothi, Thiruvalluvar Aandu-2056

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 FOREST DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATION OF KASAMPATTY (VEERA KOVIL) SACRED GROVE AS BIODIVERSITY HERITAGE SITE IN DINDIGUL DISTRICT OF THE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT, 2002 UNDER THE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT, 2002.

[G.O. Ms. No. 52, Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR.5), 12th March 2025,

மாசி 28, குரோதி, திருவள்ளுவர் ஆண்டு-2056.]

No. II(2)/ECCF/231(a)/2025.

WHEREAS, section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Central Act No.18 of 2003) provides for the declaration of areas as Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS);

AND WHEREAS, guideline 4(c) of the Guidelines for selection and management of the Biodiversity Heritage Sites issued by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) provides that, "areas that are significant from a biodiversity point of view as also are important cultural spaces such as sacred groves/trees and sites or other large community conserved areas", could be identified as Biodiversity Heritage Sites and guideline 4(e) provides that the Creation of Biodiversity Heritage Sites may not put any restriction on the prevailing practices and usages of the local communities, other than those voluntarily decided by them.

AND WHEREAS, the sacred groves in Tamil Nadu are exceptional examples of important natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, containing the existence of rare and threatened species. The locations also symbolize ongoing ecological, cultural, and biological processes in evolution. The cultural and natural heritage of the State qualifies to be recognized as per the provisions of the said Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Central Act No.18 of 2003).

AND WHEREAS, the Kasampatty (Veera Koil) sacred grove, described in the schedule below represents a special fusion of socio-ecological, eco-theological and revered beliefs and is rich in biodiversity. The said area encompass substantial regions safeguarded by the local community and are noteworthy for their significance, distinctiveness and biodiversity.

AND WHEREAS, the local people exhibit extreme discipline by not taking out even a twig or leaf and prohibiting the use of footwear even while crossing or entering this sacred grove.

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

AND WHEREAS, the Government of Tamil Nadu considers that the sacred grove in Kasampatty in Dindigul 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 notifies the areas specified in the schedule below as a biodiversity heritage site, without hindrance for the general public to worship at "Veera kovil" temple located in the site:-

The Schedule.

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

(2) Name of the sacred grove

: Kasampatty village Veera koil sacred grove (3) Name of the district

: Dindigul

(4) Name of the taluk : Natham

(5) Name of the Village Panchayat : Reddiapatty

(6) Name of the Forest range

: Alagar Koil range

(7) Survey Number

: 52/2

(8) Area in Hectare : 4.97.50

(9) GPS Coordinates STA1 N10.1551088 E078.2356519

STA2 N10.1549676 E078.2356821

STA3 N10.1549359 E078.2362477

STA4 N10.1543917 E078.2363124

STA5 N10.154311 E078.2369417

STA6 N10.1534102 E078.2369065

STA7 N10.1528452 E078.2369568

STA8 N10.1529155 E078.2377705

STA9 N10.1529158 E078.2385014

STA10 N10.1539956 E078.2386697

STA11 N10.1546332 E078.2388635

STA12 N10.1553557 E078. 2389259

STA13 N10.1552517 E078.2378919

STA14 N10.1552402 E078.2367891

STA15 N10.1551065 E078.235688

SUPRIYA SAHU,

Additional Chief Secretary to Government.