The topography of Tamil Nadu is delightfully varied and diverse. Of the 1,30,058 sq-kms land area, 17.6% is covered with forest area. These spread over the plains and on mountain slopes. Dry lands are bestowed with dry-deciduous forests, thorn forests, scrubs and mangroves. The Western Ghats and a few cooler regions are endowed with moist deciduous, wet evergreen forests and grasslands. There are 5 national parks and 17 wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu. The famous wildlife sanctuaries are the Anamalai (Indira Gandhi) Wildlife Sanctuary, Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalakadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary, Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and The Viralimalai Sanctuary. The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and the Guindy National Park are the most visited national parks in the state. Anna Zoological Park in Chennai is one of the latest and modern zoos of India. The Snake Park and the Crocodile Bank also located in Chennai are known for their collection of reptiles.
Tamilnadu is rich in flora and fauna and some of its major wildlife sanctuaries like Madumalai and Annamalai (or Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary), are situated in the Western Ghats. These hills are ideal havens for elephants, tigers, bisons, monkeys and deer. Of the 3,000 and more plant species found in Tamilnadu, a majority is found in the mixed deciduous forests of this region. One of the most noteworthy flowers is the Kurinji of Kodaikanal, which blooms once in 12 years. Cinchona, from which the anti-malarial drug quinine is extracted, and the medicinal eucalyptus grow abundantly in the Nilgiri hills. Forests of other medicinal herbs are found in Palani hills and Courtallam. Palmyra trees grow profusely in Tirunelveli and its products are used as raw materials for several cottage industries. Rubber is the main plantation crop in Kanyakumari and sandalwood grows in the Javadhu hills of Vellore district.
In the 13th century, with threats of Muslim
invasions from the north, the southern Hindu dynasties combined
and the empire of Vijaynagar (also spelt as Vijayanagar), which
covered all of South India, became firmly established. However,
by the 17th century, due to the disintegration of the Vijaynagar
Empire, various small rulers like the Nayaks ruled southern India.
By the middle of the 18th century, there
were frequent conflicts between the British, French, Danes, and
Dutch due to their interest in these areas. The British were finally
victorious, while small pocketed areas including Pondicherry and
Karaikal remained under French control. Under the British rule,
most of south India was integrated into the region called the
Madras Presidency. In 1956, the Madras Presidency was disbanded
and Tamil Nadu was established.
The varied and diverse topography consists of dry-deciduous forests, thorn forests, scrubs and mangroves of the dry lands, the moist deciduous, wet evergreen forests and grasslands of the Western Ghats and the cooler regions, 5 National Parks and 17 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu.
Some of the popular wildlife sanctuaries are the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary, Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Kalakadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Viralimalai Sanctuary and Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and Guindy National Park are the most favored national parks of the state.
The zoo of Chennai, Anna Zoological Park is one of the latest and modern zoos of India while the Snake Park and Crocodile Bank at Chennai are worth visiting because of the spectacular collection of snakes and reptiles at the former and crocodiles at the latter.
Tamil Nadu is endowed with a rich bio-diversity. The hilly terrain of the Western Ghats, Dry deciduous forests, thorn forests, scrub, mangroves and wetlands occur in the dry tracts that occupy the plains and lower hills of most of the state. Moist deciduous and wet ever green forests as also shoal and grassland occupy most of the hills in the moister parts of the state, chiefly in the western ghats.
Tamil Nadu has the distinction of a wide range of habitats in different Sanctuaries, National Parks and Tiger reserves. The habitats extend all over the State. Most of the important mammals of India are found here. Among the rare and endangered animal species are the Elephant, Tiger leopard, Wilddog, Striped hyena, Jungle Cats, Jackals, Indian Pengolin, Slender Lories, Lion tailed macaque, Sloth bear, Bison or gaur, Black buck, Nilgiris tatur, Grizzled giant squirrel, dugong and mouse deer.
Tamil Nadu has also the unique distinction of having two biospheres one in the Nilgiris, and another in Gulf of Mannar. A Tiger reserve under “Project Tiger” has been established combining Mundanthurai and Kalakadu sanctuaries. |
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