Collector K.P. Karthikeyan addresses a workshop at Donavur in Tirunelveli district.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
“The Western Ghats is one of the eight places in the world where biodiversity thrives. Due to the importance of its environment, various measures are being taken to protect it,” said Collector K.P. Karthikeyan at the inaugural of a workshop on Forest and Biodiversity at Dohnavur in Tirunelveli district.
The workshop was organised by the environment and climate change mission of the district.
Speaking at the event, the Collector said that 2024 was the hottest year on record, and experts were warning that the current scenario of climate change was worsening globally. “India is the most populous country in the world. Being a country with such heterogeneous nature and environment, India will be mostly affected by climate change.”
He outlined the various measures being taken to protect the environment of the Western Ghats. He further highlighted the order issued by the State government to set up an integrated well-being and climate centre to address the interconnected challenges of people, animal and environmental health.
Dr. Karthikeyan said that awareness of climate change had been consistently high in Tamil Nadu unlike in other States. “The river banks of Thamirabarani were cleaned by the initiative of the district administration by removing pollutants and waste clothes from the banks.”
The Collector requested preservation of forest and biodiversity to prevent climate change.
The workshop featured various sessions including topics such as Green Tamil Nadu Mission by A. Anbu, Eco Development Officer Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger reserve, Different types of plant species in Kalakkad Mudanthurai Tiger Reserve and its importance by A. Saravanan, Researcher at ATREE, Biodiversity of Mullai land by P. Ravichandran, HOD at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Importance of Tirunelveli district’s forest region and its special plant species by S. Agnus, Biologist, Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Otters in Thamirabarani river by Peter Christopher R, Researcher at ATREE and winged visitors to Thamirabarani wetlnads by M. Mathivanan, Research Associate ATREE.
Published – January 11, 2025 08:14 pm IST