Notification of Nagamalai Hillock as Bio-Diversity Heritage Site in Erode District under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
The Government of Tamil Nadu, through the Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, issued G.O. Ms. No.195, Environment, Climate Change and Forest (fr.5), dated 15 September 2025, declaring specified land at Nagamalai hillock in Erode district as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. The declaration covers Survey Numbers 725/1 and 725/2 in Elathur Town Panchayat, Nambiyur taluk.
What the notification does
The Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department notification under G.O. Ms. No.195, Environment, Climate Change and Forest (fr.5), dated 15 September 2025, declares the scheduled area of Nagamalai hillock as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. The Governor of Tamil Nadu made the declaration under section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, based on the recommendation of the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board.
The declaration is intended to strengthen biodiversity conservation. The cited national guidelines state that habitats used by seasonal migrant species for feeding and breeding may be identified as Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
Land covered
The Nagamalai hillock Biodiversity Heritage Site is located in Elathur Town Panchayat, Nambiyur taluk, Erode district. The schedule identifies:
- Survey Number 725/1, extent 31.66.00 hectares.
- Survey Number 725/2, extent 00.56.50 hectares.
- GPS coordinates 11.382867, 77.291538.
The scheduled boundaries are Survey Numbers 709, 710, 713, 714, 716, 717 and 719 to the north, Survey Numbers 724, 726, 728, 731 and 732 to the south, Survey Numbers 690, 688 and 687 to the east, and Survey Numbers 720, 723 and 722 to the west.
Why Nagamalai was selected
Nagamalai hillock is described as having native mosaic vegetation, including dry deciduous, thorny and scrub forest, together with sporadic grassland. The recorded wildlife includes Bonellis Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle and Pallid Harrier.
The site also contains prehistoric evidence, including an Iron Age cairn circle, rock shelters, equipment of ancient significance and natural springs or water aquifers. A large stone carving of Anjaneya, dated to about 700 years ago in Archaeology Department records, is identified as evidence of cultural significance.
Relevance to landholders and buyers
The Nagamalai hillock declaration is directly relevant when checking land in Survey Numbers 725/1 and 725/2. The notification cites guidelines stating that creating a Biodiversity Heritage Site may not restrict the prevailing practices and usages of local communities, except restrictions voluntarily decided by those communities. It does not specify sale, registration, construction, conversion, fee or compensation requirements.
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
Which survey numbers are declared as the Nagamalai hillock Biodiversity Heritage Site?
The declared site covers Survey Number 725/1, measuring 31.66.00 hectares, and Survey Number 725/2, measuring 00.56.50 hectares, in Elathur Town Panchayat.
Are the survey numbers listed as boundaries also part of the heritage site?
The schedule identifies only Survey Numbers 725/1 and 725/2 as the Biodiversity Heritage Site. The other survey numbers are listed only to describe its northern, southern, eastern and western boundaries.
Does the declaration restrict existing local community practices?
The notification cites national guidelines stating that creation of a Biodiversity Heritage Site may not restrict prevailing practices and usages of local communities, except restrictions voluntarily decided by them.
Why was Nagamalai hillock declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site?
The notification records rich flora and bird biodiversity, native forest and grassland habitats, natural water sources, prehistoric remains and a culturally significant Anjaneya stone carving.
