In a significant boost to wildlife conservation efforts, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday inaugurated the state's first-ever wildlife transit and treatment centre. The facility, located at Pethikuttai in Coimbatore district, marks a major step in providing emergency and rehabilitative care to injured and rescued wild animals.
A Modern Sanctuary for Wildlife Treatment
The newly built centre, established at a cost of Rs 19.50 crore, spans five acres of forest land at Pethikuttai. It features a total of 17 structures designed to cater to a variety of species. Key facilities include a fully equipped operation theatre, specialized enclosures for different animals, and separate, dedicated areas for elephant calves and adult elephants, the latter featuring a kraal.
The inauguration event was held at the Tamil Nadu Forest Academy in Coimbatore. During the same function, the Deputy CM also inaugurated a new elephant camp at Chadivayal. This camp, built with an investment of Rs 8 crore, includes 18 sheds for captive elephants and 18 houses for their mahouts. It is equipped with comprehensive facilities for food preparation and serving, a pond, and a shower area for the elephants.
Digitizing History and Arming the Protectors
Furthering the modernization drive, Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated the Tamil Nadu Forest Archives Repository. This project, costing Rs 2.60 crore, has successfully digitized and preserved forest department books, documents, and maps that are up to 200 years old, safeguarding crucial ecological history.
In a move to strengthen frontline forest protection, the Deputy CM distributed newly procured rifles, pistols, and ammunition to assistant conservators of forests and forest range officers. Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Supriya Sahu, stated that this equipment, procured for Rs 5 crore, is part of the full-swing modernization of the Tamil Nadu forest force.
Enhancing Operational Readiness for Conservation
Detailing the arms procurement, Sahu explained that the first phase included providing 123 .315 sporting rifles, 65 9mm auto pistols, and 204 12-bore pump-action guns, along with 17,376 rounds of ammunition, at a total cost of Rs 5.30 crore. The overarching goal is to enhance the safety, confidence, and operational readiness of forest personnel, enabling them to protect the state's forest resources and wildlife more effectively.
The simultaneous launch of a state-of-the-art treatment centre, a dedicated elephant camp, a digital archive, and the bolstering of forest force capabilities underscores the Tamil Nadu government's multi-pronged strategy towards wildlife conservation and forest management.
