SMTR

20th July, 2023 Environment

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Context

In STMR, Megamalai division in Theni, Tamilnadu, 12 illegal, unauthorised or unrecognised resorts were identified by state forest department of Tamilnadu.
These details were revealed by an RTI filed by S. Suryanarayanamoorthy.

Other Details

An RTI was filed to
- Sought the details about the number of illegal or unauthorised, or unrecognised resorts in SMTR.
- Know the initiatives taken by the state government to remove or regularise the resorts.

Threats

The District administration has issued the orders to stop operation of these resorts.
The RTI also revealed that there are a total of 4,575 encroachments identified in SMTR.

Initiatives taken for preservation

The District administration has issued the orders to stop operation of these identified resorts.
For the eviction of encroachment in STMR, an action plan has been created and submitted to the state government.
An amount of Rs 1,74,15,000 has been accorded, in phase 1, for the purpose of rehabilitation of the encroachment family and encroachers.
During 2022-2023, 22 hectares land was cleared of invasive plant species.

Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve (STMR)

The area of Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is combined with Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS), established in 1988 to protect the Near threatened grizzled giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura), to form the STMR.
It was notified as a Tiger Reserve in 2021 and the All India Tiger Estimation was conducted for the year 2022.
Aim is to protect the country’s flagship species tiger.
It is 51^st Tiger reserve of India and the fifth tiger reserve of Tamilnadu with a total area of 1016.57 sq. km.
- Core area: 641. 86 sq. km
- Buffer area: 70 sq. km
It is bordered on the southwest by the Periyar Tiger Reserve and is one of the best protected forests south of the Palghat Gap.

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This tiger reserve also helps in protection, preservation and rejuvenation of the Vaigai river and its catchment areas.

Fauna –

Apart from endangered grizzled giant squirrel the park boasts the presence of Tigers, Leopards, Indian gaur and Nilgiri tahr, Chameleon, Monitor Lizard etc

Flora –