Date: 2025-03-12Category: Not ApplicableState: Tamil NaduCountry: India
ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOREST DEPARTMENT--Notification of Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Sacred Grove as Biodiversity Heritage Site in Dindigul District of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
**Executive Summary**
This document from the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, dated March 12, 2025, announces the notification of the Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Sacred Grove in Dindigul District as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. This decision follows recommendations from the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board and aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation and protect the area. The notification ensures continued public access for worship at the "Veera kovil" temple within the site.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Notification:** The Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Sacred Grove is declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
* **Legal Basis:** The declaration is made under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, in consultation with local bodies.
* **Justification:**
* The site meets the criteria for BHS designation as outlined in the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) guidelines.
* Sacred groves in Tamil Nadu are exceptional examples of natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity.
* The Kasampatty grove is rich in biodiversity and represents a fusion of socio-ecological and eco-theological beliefs.
* Local people exhibit extreme discipline in preserving the grove's natural state.
* **Schedule Details:**
* **Name of the Biodiversity Heritage Site:** Kasampatty Biodiversity Heritage Site
* **Name of the sacred grove:** Kasampatty village Veera koil sacred grove
* **District:** Dindigul
* **Taluk:** Natham
* **Village Panchayat:** Reddiapatty
* **Forest range:** Alagar Koil range
* **Survey Number:** 52/2
* **Area:** 4.97.50 Hectares
* **GPS Coordinates:** Fifteen coordinate points (STA1 to STA15) are listed.
* **Permitted Activity:** The notification allows the general public to continue worshiping at the "Veera kovil" temple located within the site.
**Impact Analysis**
**Local Community**
* **Impact:** Recognition and protection of their traditional sacred grove.
* **Action Required:** Continue their traditional practices of conservation, including refraining from taking twigs or leaves and prohibiting footwear within the grove, while ensuring the area is still accessible for worship.
**Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board**
* **Impact:** Acknowledgement of their recommendation by the State Government.
* **Action Required:** Monitor and manage the site to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and adherence to the guidelines.
**General Public**
* **Impact:** Continued access to worship at the Veera Kovil temple within the site.
* **Action Required:** Respect the protected status of the site and adhere to local customs and regulations when visiting.
Key Entities Referenced
Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Central Act that provides for the declaration of areas as Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
Kasampatty Biodiversity Heritage Site: The sacred grove declared as a Biodiversity Heritage Site in Dindigul District.
Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board: The board that recommended the declaration of Kasampatty area as a Biodiversity Heritage Site to the State Government.
Dindigul: District where the Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Sacred Grove is located.
Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department: Department responsible for the notification of Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) Sacred Grove as Biodiversity Heritage Site.