Tamil Nadu to Establish Hornbill Conservation Centre at Anamalai Tiger Reserve

In a significant move towards avian conservation, the Tamil Nadu government has approved the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Coimbatore. This decision follows a proposal by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden. Funded by ₹1 crore from the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund, the initiative focuses on protecting hornbills in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot that houses four hornbill species.

Background

The Western Ghats are home to the Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill. These species play a vital ecological role as seed dispersers, making them essential for maintaining tropical forest ecosystems. However, hornbills are under threat due to habitat loss, deforestation, and climate change. The proposed centre aims to counter these challenges through scientific research and habitat management.

Objectives of the Centre

The conservation centre will undertake various objectives,

• Monitor hornbill populations using distance sampling and GPS telemetry
• Study nesting and foraging ecology to guide forest restoration
• Map food and nest trees to identify high-priority conservation zones
• Engage communities in hornbill protection efforts
• Install artificial nest boxes to support breeding in degraded areas

Key Features of the Initiative

• Nursery Development: A nursery for native tree species such as Ficus and Syzygium will aid in forest regeneration.
• Nest Adoption Programme: Local communities will be encouraged to adopt and protect hornbill nests, linking livelihoods with conservation.
• Citizen Science App: Linked to global platforms like GBIF and eBird, the app will promote public participation in hornbill monitoring.
• Educational Support: Scholarships will be offered to students conducting research on hornbill ecology.
• Collaborations: The centre will work with the Nature Conservation Foundation, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, and IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group to enhance scientific output.