Arittapatti biodiversity heritage site

Arittapatti notified Tamil Nadu’s ‘First Biodiversity Heritage Site’ Context: • Arittapatti in Madurai has been notified as the first Biodiversity Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu. About the site: • Arittapatti village is known to have a rich biological and historical significance with the presence of around 250 bird species including 3 flagship Raptor species – Laggar Falcon, Shaheen Falcon, Bonelli’s Eagle, and wildlife like Pangolin, Python, and Slender Loris. • The Site spreads in an area of 193.215 hectares in Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in the Madurai district. • The notification comes under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and will strengthen biodiversity conservation and protect from rapid loss of biodiversity. • Arittapatti consists of a chain of seven barren granite hillocks. • It supports 72 lakes, 200 natural spring pools, and 3 check dams. • The region also has historical importance – Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, Jain Beds, and Rock-cut temples which are 2,200 years old. • Further, the Government of Tamil Nadu considers that the 7 inselbergs of Arittapatti will be of adequate biodiversity importance. • It also houses anaikondan tank which was built during pandiyan kings. What is a Biodiversity Heritage Site? • Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) are areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more endemic species, keystone species, or fossil beds or components having cultural or esthetic values...

Arittapatti, spread across 139 hectares, is a habitat for around 250 bird species and wildlife such as the Indian pangolin, python, and slender loris (all photos: special arrangement) Arittapatti’s wildlife story is a rather poignant one. The Tamil Nadu village has been declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) because it has lush hillocks that — despite battling the granite mafia — host a wide variety of animals and birds. However, one of its rarest species, the laggar falcon, may not be around long enough to enjoy the special status of the habitat. More than 450 km from Chennai lies Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu. To reach Arittapatti, a village with seven hillocks, one needs to travel another 25 km from Madurai. The hillocks have more than 2,000-year-old Jain beds, sculptures of Jain monks, Tamil Brahmi and Vattezhuthu (a variant of ancient Tamil script) inscriptions, several megalithic structures, and numerous rock-cut cave temples. Also read: Amid these hillocks is Dharmakulam, a pond surrounded by trees. The pond, dotted with lotus flowers, is a perennial drinking water source for the villagers of Arittapatti. It is said that during the Tamil months of Chithirai (mid-April to mid-May) and Vaikasi (mid-May to mid-June), when the mercury soars, there would be drought-like situations in the district, except in this part. Life-giving water “One of the reasons is that the hillock region functions as a watershed and supports 72 waterbodies, 200 natural sprin...

Chennai: Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday notified Arittapatti as the first Biodiversity Heritage site in the state. Arittapatti, a cluster of seven hillocks near Melur in Madurai district, which is home to rare birds including 20 species of birds of prey , raptors, and variety of flora and fauna. In a notification, the TN government said, “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”. A total of 193.2 hectares in Meenakshipuram in Madurai taluk and Arittapatti in Melur taluk have been notified as the biodiversity heritage sites. Lauding the decision, Addl Chief Secretary Environment Climate Change and Forests, said that, “Arittapatti is nothing less than a biodiversity paradise with several endemic species and a historical heritage which dates back to thousands of years. Congratulations Madurai 🎉 Arittapatti in Madurai gets Notified by GOTN as the first Biodiversity Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu. “The government has issued this notification to strengthen the biodiversity and to protect the loss of it and this will put an end to over-exploitation of natural resources and avoid environmental degradation,” she added. Arittapatti is home for around 250 bird species including 3 flagship Raptor species- Laggar Falcon,Shaheen Falcon , Bonelli’s Eagle and wildli...

Synopsis A total of 193.215 hectares of land spread across the villages of Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram in the district of Madurai in Tamil Nadu was notified as Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site under the Biological Diversity Act of … A total of 193.215 hectares of land spread across the villages of Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram in the district of Madurai in Tamil Nadu was notified as Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site under the Biological Diversity Act of 2002. With the Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site, one more gem got added to the world of conservation. A total of 193.215 hectares of land spread across the villages of Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram in the district of Madurai in Tamil Nadu was notified as Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site under the Biological Diversity Act of 2002. • Delhi-Leh: Country’s highest altitude bus service is back on the road • Tokyo all set to open new Harry Potter theme park today • Kerala Tourism to launch app for solo women travellers Also read: All you need to know about Delhi’s biodiversity parks With this new addition, now India has 19 biodiversity heritage sites. What makes Arittapatti village important? There are several attractions in Arittapatti village but the most notable geographical feature is the chain of seven barren granite hillocks. This rocky landscape surprisingly supports a total of 72 lakes, 200 natural springs and three check dams. One of these lakes, Anaikondan Lake, dates back to the 16th century...

Premium Recently notified as Tamil Nadu’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site, Arittapatti village is loaded with everything from ancient Brahmi stones and 8th century Shaivite temples to around 250 species of birds and unique local traditions. December 08, 2022 11:54 pm | Updated December 09, 2022 01:57 pm IST “ Arittapatti undu, azhagaana dharmam undu, Mangulam mandhai undu, madhipaana ennam undu,” says C. Murugeswari, one of the native environmentalists who hold dear the sanctity of Arittapatti, a quintessential village located 25 km away from Madurai, which was The local proverb refers to Dharmam, a pond dotted with water lilies located beneath hillocks that is part of an ideal mise-en-scène of a countryside rich in culture, history and biodiversity. The peculiar and serene environs are interspersed with seven hillocks, about 200 natural springs, 52 rain-fed waterbodies, three checkdams and a rich community of birds, says C.P. Rajkumar, member of the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board, in a report. The seven small hills – Kalinjamalai, Naattar Malai, Vayathupillan Malai, Ramayi Malai, Aptan Malai, Thenkoodu malai and Kazhugu malai – are rich in history and culture. Two Tamil Brahmi stone inscriptions found on natural caverns in Kalinjamalai date back to the 2 nd century BCE. “They indicate that two persons or donors – Sizhivan Adhinan Veliyan of Nelveli (likely reference to Tirunelveli) and Ilanjivel Imayavan, son of Ilam Perathan, of Ilanchi village – had given shelter to the...

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Arittapatti Village: Biodiversity Heritage Site • In accordance with Section 37 of the designating Arittapatti Village in Melur in the Madurai district as a biodiversity heritage site. • The Biodiversity Heritage site is the first site to be nominated in the Southern State and is located on a 193.21 hectare parcel of land. • The local residents' involvement in biodiversity and conservation initiatives would be strengthened with the designation of Arittapatti Village as Tamil Nadu's first biodiversity heritage site. First Biodiversity Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu: Major Points • The Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site would be known as the area that spans 139.63 hectares in Arittapatti Village ( Meenakshipuram Village (Madurai East Taluk). • A series of seven arid granite hillocks surrounds the Arittapatti Village, serving as a watershed for close to 72 lakes, 200 natural spring pools, and three check dams. • The site's historical significance is further enhanced by the presence of several • It is Tamil Nadu’s first and India’s 35th Biodiversity Heritage Site . • Arittapatti village is rich in ecological and historical significance, it houses around 250 species of birds including three important raptors, birds of prey namely: • Laggar Falcon • Shaheen Falcon • Bonelli’s Eagle • It is also home to wildlife such as the Indian Pangolin, Slender Loris and Pythons. What is A Biodiversity • With a high diversity of wild and domesticated species , the existence of rare and threa...

The Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site is India's 35th and Tamil Nadu's first biodiversity heritage site. In accordance with section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act of 2002, the Tamil Nadu government published a notification designating Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in the Madurai district as the state's first biodiversity heritage site. The Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage site will cover 139.63 ha in Arittapatti village (Melur block) & 53.8 ha in Meenakshipuram village (Madurai East taluk). Wildlife including the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Slender Loris (Loris spp) & Python (Python molurus) is also present, in addition to a number of other birds and animal species that may be seen in the area. The location has historical significance due to the presence of numerous megalithic structures, Jain Beds, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, and 2200-year-old rock-cut temples. What are Biodiversity Heritage Sites? The term "biodiversity heritage site" refers to biological regions with distinctive and ecologically vulnerable ecosystems that support rare and endangered species. These kinds of regions are frequently home to significant species that are not just endemic or endangered but also can be keystone species, flagship species, or umbrella species. What is Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, of 2002? The state governments are given the authority to inform BHS after consulting with the "local bodies" under this section. According to Section 37, sub...

Topic- Environment and Ecology [GS Paper-3] Context- Recently the Tamil Nadu Government has issued a notification declaring Arittapatti in Melur block, Madurai district, a biodiversity heritage site. Key Highlights • The heritage site spans a total area of 193.21 hectares. • Arittapatti village in Tamilnadu, rich in ecological and historical significance, houses around 250 species of birds including three important raptors birds of prey, namely the Laggar Falcon, the Shaheen Falcon and Bonelli’s Eagle. • The village is also home to wildlife such as the Indian Pangolin, Slender Loris and pythons. • The area is surrounded by a chain of seven hillocks or inselbergs that serve as a watershed, charging ‘72 lakes, 200 natural springs and three check dams.’ • The Anaikondan tank, built during the reign of Pandiyan kings in the 16th century is one among them. • Several megalithic structures, rock-cut temples, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions and Jain beds present in the area add to the historical significance of the region. Conserving biodiversity • To prevent the loss of biodiversity and to preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of bygone times, the State government of Tamilnadu, upon the recommendation of the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board has declared Arittapatti a biodiversity heritage site. • The declaration of the site has been made under the Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. What is a Biodiversity Heritage Site? • Under Section 37 of Biological Diversity A...