Nagamalai hillock in Erode district notified as Tamil Nadu’s fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site

In another significant step towards biodiversity protection, the Tamil Nadu government has notified Nagamalai hillock in Erode district as the State’s fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

The State government has already declared Arittapatti in Madurai district, Kasampatty in Dindigul district, and Elathur lake in Erode district as Biodiversity Heritage Sites.

Spanning 32.22 hectares, Nagamalai hillock is an ecological hotspot and a vital habitat for migratory and resident birds, aquatic species, and diverse wetland ecosystems. Its landscape of deep waters, shallow margins, mudflats, and rocky outcrops support rich biodiversity, according to an official release.

Surveys, including the Tamil Nadu Synchronized Bird Census (2024), have documented 138 plant species, 118 bird species (including 30 migratory species), seven species of mammals, 11 species of reptiles, five species of spiders, and 71 species of insects in the hillock. Some of the main species found here include the Greater Spotted Eagle, Pallid Harrier, and Bonelli’s Eagle. The flora comprises 138 plant species, including 125 dicots and 13 monocots, spanning 48 families and 114 genera.

Archaeological value

In addition to its ecological value, Nagamalai hillock holds significant archaeological and cultural importance. Findings such as cairn circles from the Iron Age, rock shelters, and artefacts of ancient significance reveal its historical depth. A 400-year-old stone carving of Lord Anjaneya, recorded by the Archaeology Department, underscores its cultural heritage, the official release said.

Biodiversity Heritage Sites are well-defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile, and rich in biodiversity. They help conserve rare, threatened, and keystone species, safeguard sites of evolutionary significance, and strengthen cultural linkages with nature.