Declaration of Kodiyakarai Wildlife Sanctuary Blocks A and B
The Tamil Nadu Governor, through the Environment and Forests (FR.5) Department, issued Government Order (Ms.) No. 59 dated 26 April 2013, declaring the specified areas as Kodiyakarai Wildlife Sanctuary Block A and Block B under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on 25 September 2013, the declaration takes effect from its publication date and identifies the sanctuary areas through forest names, survey fields and detailed boundaries.
What the declaration does
Government Order (Ms.) No. 59 of the Environment and Forests (FR.5) Department, dated 26 April 2013, declares the areas in its schedules as Kodiyakarai Wildlife Sanctuary Block A and Block B. The Tamil Nadu Governor made the declaration using the power under section 26(1)(b) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The stated purpose is to protect, restore and improve the plants and animals found in the area. The declaration operates from the date on which the notification was published.
Areas covered
The scheduled sanctuary areas are divided into two blocks:
- Block A: 11,885.91 hectares in Pattukkottai Taluk of Thanjavur district and Thiruthuraipoondi Taluk of Tiruvarur district.
- Block A includes Muthupettai Reserved Forest, Thuraikkadu Reserved Forest, Vadakkadu Reserved Forest areas, Maravakkadu Reserved Forest, Maravakkadu Extension Reserved Forest, Thamarankottai Reserved Forest, Palanthur Reserved Forest Fragment 1 and Palanjur Reserved Forest Fragment 2.
- Block B: 521.36 hectares in Vedaranyam Taluk of Nagapattinam district.
- Block B comprises Kodiyakkadu Extension Fragment IV measuring 10.17 hectares, Kodiyakkadu Extension Fragment V measuring 184.00 hectares and Kodiyakkadu Reserved Forest measuring 327.19 hectares.
How the boundaries are identified
The Environment and Forests (FR.5) Department notification describes boundaries using village survey fields, junction points, reserved forest boundaries, magnetic bearings and distances in links. Block A also refers to the shore of the Palk Strait and provides northern, eastern, southern and western boundary descriptions.
For Block B, the schedule gives boundary details for Kodiyakkadu Extension Fragment IV and begins the description for Fragment V. References include survey fields in Kodiyakkarai and Kodiyakkadu villages, the Kodiyakkarai Reserved Forest boundary and a railway line.
Who should check the notification
Property buyers, owners and professionals dealing with land in the named taluks, villages or near the listed reserved forests should compare the property survey number and physical location with the scheduled boundaries. A matching district or village name alone does not establish whether a particular parcel falls within the sanctuary, because the notification relies on detailed survey field boundaries and measured lines.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
When did the sanctuary declaration take effect?
The declaration takes effect from the date of publication of the notification. The Tamil Nadu Government Gazette containing it is dated 25 September 2013.
How large are Kodiyakarai Wildlife Sanctuary Blocks A and B?
Block A covers 11,885.91 hectares. Block B covers 521.36 hectares.
Does land anywhere in the named districts automatically fall within the sanctuary?
No. The scheduled areas are identified through named forests, villages, survey fields, boundary junctions, bearings and distances, so an individual property's location must be checked against those details.
Why were these areas declared a wildlife sanctuary?
The notification states that the purpose is to protect, restore and improve the plants growing and animals living in the specified areas.
