G.O. Ms No.136, Declaration of Elephant Reserve in Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari Districts, 2022
The Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu issued G.O. Ms No.136, Environment, Climate Change and Forests (FR.5), dated 10 August 2022, declaring the Agasthyamalai Elephant Reserve across specified reserved forests in Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts. The reserve covers 1,19,748.26 hectares and is intended to conserve Asian elephant habitats and improve the health and connectivity of elephant migratory paths.
What the notification does
The Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu issued G.O. Ms No.136, Environment, Climate Change and Forests (FR.5), dated 10 August 2022. It notifies the Agasthyamalai Elephant Reserve over a total area of 1,19,748.26 hectares, or 1197.48 square kilometres, in Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts.
The notification states that the Government of India gave its consent for creation of the reserve by letter dated 13 July 2022. The purpose is to conserve elephants and their habitats, and to improve the health and connectivity of elephant migratory paths through research and effective management techniques.
Areas covered
The Agasthyamalai Elephant Reserve consists of reserved forest areas listed in the notification. These areas form part of the Agasthyamalai landscape and include forests associated with the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and Kanniyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary.
The notified extent is divided as follows:
- Tirunelveli district contains 81,811.36 hectares of the elephant reserve.
- Kanniyakumari district contains 37,936.900 hectares of the elephant reserve.
- The combined notified extent is 1,19,748.26 hectares.
In Tirunelveli district, the schedule lists reserved forests in Ambasamudram, Nanguneri and Radhapuram taluks. These include Papanasam Alwarkurichi Ghat forests, Singampatti Reserve Forest, Tirukurangudi and Kalakad forests, Valliyur Reserve Forest and other listed forest blocks and additions.
In Kanniyakumari district, the schedule lists parts of Veerapuli, Kilamalai, Mahendragiri and Poigaimalai reserved forests, together with Asambu Reserve Forest, across the listed taluks.
Who may need to check it
Property buyers, owners and professionals dealing with land near the listed reserved forests may need to compare the property location with the schedule. The notification identifies the reserve through forest names, taluks, earlier reserve forest notification details and area figures. It does not provide individual private survey numbers for every listed area or state any fee, compensation process or land transaction procedure.
Administration
G.O. Ms No.136 appoints the Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, as the Field Co-ordinator of the Agasthyamalai Elephant Reserve.
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Common questions
How large is the Agasthyamalai Elephant Reserve?
The notified reserve covers 1,19,748.26 hectares, stated in the notification as 1197.48 square kilometres.
Which districts are included in the elephant reserve?
The reserve includes 81,811.36 hectares in Tirunelveli district and 37,936.900 hectares in Kanniyakumari district.
Does the notification say that private land is included?
The schedule identifies reserved forests by name, taluk, earlier notification details and extent. It does not expressly identify private land or provide a general list of private survey numbers.
Who coordinates the Agasthyamalai Elephant Reserve?
The Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, is designated as the Field Co-ordinator.
