The Tamil Nadu government has notified 100 forest blocks as Reserved Forests between 2021 and 2025, significantly expanding the state’s legally protected forest area and reinforcing long-term biodiversity conservation and climate resilience efforts. With this move, the total Reserved Forest area in Tamil Nadu has increased by about 135 square kilometres, rising from 26,450 sq km to 26,585 sq km, according to official data released by Forest Minister RS Raja Kannappan.
The newly notified forest blocks span 10 districts — Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Madurai, Kallakurichi, Theni, Sivaganga, Namakkal, Nilgiris, Salem and Tenkasi — and together cover nearly 13,495 hectares. Among them, the Highways Forest Block in Theni district, spread over 2,836.33 hectares, is the largest single addition, reflecting the government’s emphasis on securing ecologically sensitive and wildlife-rich landscapes.
Forest officials highlighted the ecological importance of the Nilgiris region, where the notifications are expected to strengthen wildlife corridors between existing protected areas. Cherumulli forest block, which borders the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, and Yellamalai forest block, located close to Mukurthi National Park, are among the key additions. According to Gudalur Divisional Forest Officer Vengatesh Prabhu, bringing these areas under Reserved Forest status will enhance biodiversity protection, improve forest fire management and ensure long-term habitat security in some of the state’s most biodiversity-rich landscapes.
Many of the newly notified forest lands were earlier classified as janmam reserve lands. A special committee constituted by the state government is currently reviewing ecologically critical parcels that can be notified swiftly under the Forest Act. Officials said several more proposals, covering around 100 hectares, have already been submitted for consideration.
The notification of forest blocks in the Megamalai region has particular conservation significance. The Highways Forest Block and adjacent areas fall within the Megamalai–Srivilliputhur landscape in the southern Western Ghats, a region known for high levels of endemism and the movement of elephants, tigers and other wildlife. Forest department officials said the newly notified blocks will act as crucial buffer zones, improving connectivity between protected forests and helping curb fragmentation and unregulated land-use pressures.
In Dindigul district, the notifications have resolved issues that had remained pending for years due to boundary disputes and survey challenges. Divisional Forest Officer Naga Satish said some forest blocks notified now had been under process for nearly two decades. He added that several of these patches are also important habitats for species such as the slender loris.
Senior officials emphasised that every notification followed a detailed legal process under Section 16 of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, led by Forest Settlement Officers, ensuring full compliance with statutory requirements and permanent legal protection for the forests.
Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forests Supriya Sahu said the expansion of Reserved Forests would strengthen ecological security, safeguard wildlife habitats, protect watersheds and enhance carbon sequestration across landscapes. Special Secretary Anurag Mishra added that legally protected forests function as long-term ecological infrastructure, supporting biodiversity, water security and climate stability for future generations.