Chennai, July 23: In a pioneering move for wildlife conservation, the Tamil Nadu government has announced the establishment of India’s first-ever Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Annamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Coimbatore district. The initiative aims to safeguard four hornbill species native to the Western Ghats, addressing growing concerns over habitat loss and environmental degradation.
Dubbed the “farmers of the forest” for their crucial role in seed dispersal and forest regeneration, hornbills face increasing threats due to deforestation, climate change, and habitat fragmentation. The upcoming centre will focus on the conservation of the Great Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill.
The state’s Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests has allocated ₹1 crore under the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund for the project. The centre will undertake comprehensive conservation activities, including habitat mapping, nesting site monitoring, scientific research, climate impact studies, and forest restoration through planting of native trees like fig and canarium, which serve as key food sources for hornbills.
According to a government order issued by Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu, ATR was selected for its rich biodiversity and proven track record in conserving endangered species like tigers, elephants, and lion-tailed macaques.
The initiative also places a strong emphasis on community involvement. Local residents will be engaged in nest adoption schemes, seed collection-based livelihoods, student scholarships, and educational outreach activities. Field visits for students and training programs for forest staff are also part of the centre’s agenda.
Collaborations are planned with leading conservation and research institutions, including the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Nature Conservation Foundation, Wildlife Institute of India, and IUCN’s Hornbill Specialist Group.
Beyond ATR, the state plans to expand hornbill conservation efforts to other biodiversity-rich zones like Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), and regions in Kanyakumari district, through initiatives like tree geotagging, phenological studies, and community-based conservation strategies.
The establishment of this centre marks a significant step in India’s biodiversity conservation landscape and reaffirms Tamil Nadu’s commitment to preserving its unique ecological heritage.
