TN shifts focus to endangered species with revived conservation fund
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Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government is taking a significant step to revive its stalled conservation efforts by transferring the state’s Endangered Species Conservation Fund to the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC). This move is set to bolster targeted recovery programs for endangered and critically endangered species.
The initiative marks the first exclusive effort in India focused on the preservation of species facing the highest risk of extinction.
Sanctioned last year with an initial outlay of Rs 5 crore, the fund was originally intended to support the conservation of rare and vanishing flora and fauna in the state. However, it remained largely unused due to administrative delays and lack of direction. Initially routed through the now-defunct Tamil Nadu Development Society and later redirected to the Mudumalai Tiger Foundation, the fund failed to yield meaningful outcomes on the ground.
To correct course, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has now assigned the state-run AIWC to manage the fund. Based near Vandalur in Chennai, the Institute is expected to design and implement species-specific recovery programs, addressing the unique conservation requirements of Tamil Nadu’s most threatened wildlife.
The proposal to transfer the fund is currently awaiting final clearance from the state finance department.
The AIWC has recently been registered as a society, a key administrative development that enables it to receive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from both private and public sector enterprises. This status also facilitates partnerships with national and international conservation organizations, improving the Institute’s autonomy and operational reach.
The decision is viewed as a major policy shift, placing neglected endangered species at the forefront of Tamil Nadu’s wildlife conservation agenda.
Among the species expected to benefit from the renewed focus are the Indian Pangolin, Red Panda, several endemic amphibians, and lesser-known orchids, species that have often been overlooked in mainstream conservation efforts.
Officials believe that the combination of streamlined fund management, CSR support, and expert collaborations will allow the AIWC to execute scientifically robust and financially sustainable conservation programs.
