IN MAKING: THE BIGGEST TIGER RESERVE IN TAMIL NADU

In what looks like a big push for conservation efforts, the State government has renewed its move to form the fifth and biggest tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu.

The reserve measures over one lakh hectares. It will be named as Megamalai-Srivilliputhur tiger reserve, with Megamalai wildlife and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel sanctuaries forming the major chunk of the newly proposed tiger reserve.

Reportedly, the tiger population has seen a step increase in the state. The population of big cat has tripled in just eight years. In 2006, Tamil Nadu had only 76 Tigers. Whereas, in 2014, the population has gone up to 229.

Recently Forest minister Dindigul C Sreenivasan reportedly hinted at the formation of the reserve. SP Yadav, a former deputy inspector general of NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority), reportedly said that Tamil Nadu government should declare the new tiger reserve as early as possible.