A series of initiatives announced for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department during 2021–25 have seen limited implementation, with many proposals remaining at the announcement stage.
Among the plans listed were a dedicated policy to remove invasive weeds from forest areas, and the creation of a State Forest Document Repository and Forest Data Centre to preserve research papers and records. The department had also proposed a detailed business review with support from consultancy firms to improve the performance of forest enterprises.
Tourism- and conservation-linked projects were also announced, including new eco-tourism trails in hill regions with local community participation, a biodiversity laboratory and tourism centre at the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, and the adoption of new technologies for management and services. Other proposals included a Pallikaranai marshland conservation centre and integrated development works at Ramsar-listed Vedanthangal and at the Koothankulam bird sanctuary.
Further announcements covered improving tourism capacity and local livelihoods at Pulicat bird sanctuary, a community-based eco-tourism development plan for Rameswaram island, and specialised conservation facilities such as a native seed bank at the Tamil Nadu Forest Academy in Coimbatore, a marsh crocodile conservation centre near Kumbakonam, and orchid conservation upgrades at Gudalur and the Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
The list also included setting up wildlife innovation breeding centres in multiple districts and forming a special rapid response force in Dindigul to monitor elephant movement with an outlay of Rs 1 crore—an initiative that, like several others, is yet to be established.
