Why in news?

Tamil Nadu gets  Arittapatti as  its first biodiversity heritage site

Highlights

• This is the first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) notified in Tamil Nadu.
• Site was declared after consulting local communities, the department of archaeology, Tamil Nadu Minerals Ltd, and other stakeholders

Arittapatti

• The village consists of a chain of seven barren granite hillocks.
• The distinctive landscape of rocky hills acts as a watershed and supports 72 lakes, 200 natural spring pools, and three check dams.
• Anaikondan Lake one of the water bodies , was built during the reign of Pandyas in the 16th century.
• Flagship raptor species: Laggar Falcon , Shaheen Falcon, and Bonelli’s Eagle—
• Wildlife : Indian pangolin, python, and slender loris.
• Historical Significance: It features various megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, Jain Beds, and 2,200-year-old rock-cut temples, lending it historical value.

 How will this be a game changer in conservations?

• This will strengthen the biodiversity conservation efforts with the participation of local communities.
• It will also help to preserve the rich biological and historical repository of the area and improves tourism
• Conservation helps to prepare scientific management plan for sustainable model of livelihood development

What is a Biodiversity Heritage Scheme ?

• Biodiversity heritage sites are well-defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems with high diversity of wild and domesticated species, presence of rare and threatened species, and keystone species.
• Statutory law : Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act of 2002.
• Creation of BHS may not put any restriction on the prevailing practices and usages of the local communities, other than those voluntarily decided by them.

Who can declare sites ?

• The State Government in consultation with the local bodies, notify in the Official Gazette, areas of biodiversity importance as biodiversity heritage sites under this Act.