Biodiversity Day Celebrated in Tamil Nadu: Minister Rajakannappan Honours Forest Officials

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department observed the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, 2025, by organizing a special workshop and award ceremony at the Grand GRT Hotel, T. Nagar, Chennai.

Thiru R.S. Rajakannappan, Honourable Minister for Forests and Khadi, inaugurated the event, released a concept note, and delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of forest and wildlife conservation. He also launched a new initiative by releasing rare native grass seeds identified and collected by the Forest Genetics Division of the department’s Research Wing.

The Minister visited the exhibition stalls showcasing forest products and publications and felicitated forest officers and field officials for their exceptional contributions. Awards were also presented to headmasters of tribal schools who achieved high pass percentages and to organisations recognized for their conservation efforts.

In his address, the Minister stressed the need for balancing conservation with development by implementing essential schemes in tribal regions. He noted the establishment of 13,600 Biodiversity Management Committees under the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board and reported that ₹2.06 crore was earned through Access and Benefit Sharing, with ₹53.42 lakh distributed to beneficiaries.

Tmt. Supriya Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Department, praised the department’s achievements over the past four years, including the declaration of the Slender Loris Sanctuary in Dindigul and two Biodiversity Heritage Sites in Madurai and Dindigul districts. She reaffirmed Tamil Nadu’s commitment to achieving 30% forest and tree cover by 2030.

Books and posters on biodiversity, bird census, and human-elephant conflict in the Eastern Ghats were released during the event. Scholars also participated in the workshop and shared insights aligned with the theme of biodiversity conservation.

Senior officials including Thiru Srinivas R. Reddy, IFS, and other Principal Chief Conservators of Forests participated in the programme and offered their felicitations.

Issued by:
DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai – 9