Coming up: Biodiversity conservation centre in Kodiakarai's Point Calimere to protect Blackbucks, mudflats
As per the forest department document, the centre will be developed under the Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing Ocean Resources and Blue Economy (TN-SHORE) project, which commenced in 2023 with assistance from the World Bank.
Blackbuck (Pexel image)
CHENNAI: Endangered Indian Blackbuck and migratory birds will get better protection as the state forest department has decided to develop an Integrated Biodiversity Conservation Centre in Point Calimere (Kodiakarai), which is one of the Ramsar sites in Tamil Nadu.
As per the forest department document, the centre will be developed under the Tamil Nadu Sustainable Harnessing Ocean Resources and Blue Economy (TN-SHORE) project, which commenced in 2023 with assistance from the World Bank.
TN-SHORE aims to enhance the resilience and sustainable utilisation of coastal resources through a multi-pronged approach.
Once constructed, the conservation centre will help the forest department and experts to understand, conserve and improve the phenomenon of bird migration. The centre will also take up identification, monitoring, and management of mudflats of Point Calimere Wetland in a scientific manner.
"The centre will highlight the ecological importance of the unique coastal grasslands of Kodiyakarai, which support one of the largest southern populations of the Indian Blackbuck. The centre will provide information related to the distribution and characteristics and the threats to the rare and endangered Indian Blackbuck," the document said.
An official explained that the centre will also provide education and outreach related to sea turtles in general and Olive Ridley turtles in particular. The centre will serve as the nodal institution for research and conservation activities related to sea turtles.
"Consultants will be appointed to prepare a detailed project report for the centre and based on the DPR, construction will commence," he added.
Moreover, the centre will also focus on the cultural heritage of Nagapattinam district by highlighting the importance of nature and wildlife in Tamil culture, particularly during the Chola Period.
Satellite telemetry
The centre will be equipped with infrastructure to support the satellite telemetry of sea turtles as well as birds. Satellite telemetry is an effective tool to monitor long distance migratory species such as birds and sea turtles.
