Tamil Nadu government – Rosewood Conservation Act
▪ Tamil Nadu Rosewood Trees (Conservation) Act, 1994 has expired. Tamil Nadu will no longer have specific legislation to regulate rosewood exploitation.
▪ The legislation was enacted in 1995 to protect Dalbergia latifolia, commonly known as rosewood — a rare and valuable tree species whose numbers were declining due to illegal felling and trade.
▪ Initially passed for 15 years, the legislation was renewed in 2010 for another 15 years.
▪ The Tamil Nadu government is currently pursuing the objective of bringing 33% of its total land area under green cover, in line with the National Forest Policy.
▪ Tamil Nadu Preservation of Private Forests Act, 1949 and the Tamil Nadu Hill Areas (Preservation of Trees) Act, 1955 are not designed to address the conservation of individual species, like rosewood, in a targeted manner.
▪ IUCN Status – Vulnerable
▪ CITES – Appendix – II
Muthupet mangrove cover increased by 2,057 hectares in the last three years
▪ Muthupet is home to the largest mangrove forest in the State, spanning 120 sq.km along the Palk Strait.
▪ According to an official document, the mangrove area in Muthupet has grown by 2,057 hectares from 2022 to 2025.
▪ The Muthupet wetland complex, encompassing six reserved forests, is an ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife, including over 100 species of migratory water birds like Lesser Flamingos and SpotBilled Pelicans.
Natural shield
▪ These mangrove forests, dominated by Avicennia marina, act as a natural shield against storm
surges, tsunamis, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion.
▪ They also play a key role in the ecology of the Cauvery delta, and the hydrology of several important distributaries
