Kumbakonam betel leaf – GI tag
▪ The Kumbakonam betel leaf, which is renowned for its remarkable tenderness (Kozhundhu Vettrilai), owing to its early harvest, has secured the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
▪ Unique Harvesting Process: Unlike other regions where betel leaves are harvested every 30 days, Kumbakonam betel leaves are harvested every 15 to 18 days, making them exceptionally soft.
▪ The ‘Vellaikodi’ variety has a pale yellowish-green hue and elongated leaves, while ‘Pachaikodi’ variety of leaves are greenish and heart-shaped.
▪ The Kumbakonam betel leaf finds references in literary works and poems.
▪ Freedom fighter Subramania Bharathiyar, in one his poems, referred to the betel leaves grown on the banks of the Cauvery river as follows: Gangai nadhi purathu gothumai pandam, Cauveri vettrilaikku maaru kolvom.
Hornbill Conservation Initiative
▪ Tamil Nadu is developing a blueprint to conserve four species of hornbills – Great Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Grey Hornbill, and Malabar Grey Hornbill.
▪ Centre of Excellence: A Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation will be established in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) to study and protect hornbills.
Ecological Role: Hornbills are frugivorous birds that help in seed dispersal, contributing to ecologicalrestoration.
▪ No one has estimated the population of hornbills in the entire mainland so far. That is why, the initiative of the Tamil Nadu government is significant.
▪ These trees are very important for the hornbills to nest. They are rare species. Among them, Dipterocarpus indicus and Cryptocarya anamalayana are ‘endangered’, according to the IUCN Red List, while Myristica malabarica is ‘vulnerable’
Key conservation areas identified include:
✓ Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) – Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill
✓ Athikkadavu-Pilloor-Bhavanisagar Valley – Malabar Pied Hornbill
✓ Sathyamangalam forests – Indian Grey Hornbill
IUCN Red List Status
✓ Great Hornbill & Malabar Grey Hornbill – Vulnerable
✓ Malabar Pied Hornbill – Near Threatened
✓ Indian Grey Hornbill (widespread distribution in the country) – Least Concern
