Lok Sabha Question No. 105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Ecological Degradation, Deforestation and Biodiversity loss in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Robert Bruce C

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIO N NO. 105

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025

## Ecological Degradation, Deforestation and Biodiversity loss in Tamil Nadu

## 105.   SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of ecological degradation, deforestation and biodiversity loss in the Western Ghats region covering Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu during the last five years and the current year;
- (b) the details of the funds allocated and disbursed under centrally sponsored schemes such as the National Afforestation Programme, Green India Mission and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management  and  Planning Authority  (CAMPA)  for  projects  in  Tamil  Nadu,  particularly  in Tirunelveli district; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to strengthen central monitoring, enforcing compliance with environmental safeguards and ensuring time-bound restoration of forest and catchment areas in the Western Ghats and the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) As  informed  by  the  State  Government,  the  comprehensive  assessment  of  ecological degradation, deforestation and biodiversity loss in the Western Ghats region covering Tirunelveli district has not been conducted.
- (b)      There  is  no  fund  allotment  under  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  such  as  the  National Afforestation Programme and Green India Mission in Tirunelveli district. However, following ear wise fund allotment were received under State CAMPA scheme to the following forest divisions:

| Divisions     | Year    | Amount Spent (Rs.in lakhs)   |
|---------------|---------|------------------------------|
| Kalakad       | 2020-21 | -                            |
| Kalakad       | 2021-22 | -                            |
| Kalakad       | 2022-23 | 3.25                         |
| Kalakad       | 2023-24 | -                            |
| Kalakad       | 2024-25 | -                            |
| Kalakad       | Total   | 3.25                         |
| Ambasa Mudram | 2020-21 | -                            |
|               | 2021-22 | -                            |
|               | 2022-23 | 1.190                        |

| 2023-24   | -     |
|-----------|-------|
| 2024-25   | -     |
| Total     | 1.190 |

In CAMPA scheme during 2022-23, planting of Ficus species., in the periphery of water spread area (5 Ha) was carried out and awareness programmes were conducted in both divisions.

(c) In order to protect the rich biodiversity of Western Ghats region, the Ministry Environment, Forest and Climate Change has published the draft notification on Ecologically Sensitive Area of Western Ghats, vide S.O. 3060(E) dated 31.07.2024 with an area of 56,825 square kilometre. Of this, a total area of 6914 square kilometre (12.16%) falls within the State of Tamil Nadu, which includes five  talukas  of  Tirunelveli  District  namely  Ambasamudram,  Nanguneri,  Shenkottai,  Sivagiri  and Tenkasi.

Further, the Ministry examines the suggestions provided by the respective State Governments in a holistic  manner,  keeping  in  the  view  the  conservation  aspects  of  the  ecosystem,  and  the  rights, privileges, needs and developmental aspirations of the region.

Further,  the  protection  and  preservation  of  trees  in  the  Western  Ghats  of  Tamil  Nadu  has  been strengthened  through  a  range  of  legislative  and  policy  interventions.  These  include  Hill  Area Protection under the Tamil Nadu Hill Area (Preservation of Trees) Act, 1955, Hill Area Conservation Authority, constituted under the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971, notification of ecologically significant areas contiguous with or enclaved within forest areas are notified as Private Forests  under  the  Tamil  Nadu  Preservation  of  Private  Forests  Act,  1949.  In  addition,  several conservation initiatives also contribute to safeguarding the Western Ghats, such as Project Tiger and Project  Elephant,  Agasthiyarmalai  Biosphere  Reserve,  Restoration  of  Degraded  Forests  (RDF) Landscapes, Grassland Management Schemes for the restoration of native grasses.

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