Date: 2025-08-29Category: Not ApplicableState: Tamil NaduCountry: India
ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOREST DEPARTMENT--Notification of Elathur Lake as Bio-Diversity Heritage Site in Erode District under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
**Executive Summary**
This document is a notification from the Government of Tamil Nadu declaring Elathur Lake in Erode district as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The notification is effective from August 28, 2025, and is based on recommendations from the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board to bolster biodiversity conservation. The lake, with an area of 37.42.50 Hectare, is a vital bird habitat, including endangered and vulnerable species.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Declaration:** Elathur Lake in Erode District is officially declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).
* **Legal Basis:** The declaration is made under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Central Act 18 of 2003).
* **Recommendation:** The declaration follows the recommendation of the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board.
* **Justification:**
* Elathur Lake is recognized as an important bird habitat and a hotspot for wintering and breeding of both resident and migratory birds.
* The lake is a habitat for endangered (Steppe Eagle) and vulnerable species.
* It also provides habitat for near threatened bird species.
* **Area Details:**
* The BHS encompasses an area of 37.42.50 Hectare in Survey No. 436.
* GPS Coordinates: 11.385139, 77.225314.
* Specific survey numbers for the northern, southern, eastern, and western boundaries are listed.
* **Conservation:** Aims to bolster biodiversity conservation.
* **Restrictions:** The creation of the BHS does not restrict prevailing practices and usages of local communities, except those voluntarily decided by them.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring the conservation of Elathur Lake as a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
* **Action Required:** Implement measures for the conservation and management of the site.
**Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board**
* **Impact:** To monitor and provide recommendations for the effective management of Elathur Lake as a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide guidance and oversight for the site's management.
**Local Communities**
* **Impact:** The declaration may impact their activities, practices, and usages in and around the lake area, although prevailing practices are generally unaffected unless voluntarily decided otherwise.
* **Action Required:** Comply with any conservation measures and regulations put in place for the BHS, ensuring alignment with agreed-upon practices.
Key Entities Referenced
Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Central Act providing the legal basis for declaring Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
Elathur Lake Biodiversity Heritage Site: The specific area being declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site in Erode district.
Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board: Recommends areas for declaration as Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
Erode: District where Elathur Lake is located.
National Biodiversity Authority: Issues guidelines for the selection and management of Biodiversity Heritage Sites.