Tamil Nadu to set up Center of Excellence for Hornbills conservation

Chennai: Hornbills, one of the most ecologically significant and charismatic birds of the Asian tropics, playing a vital ecological role as seed dispersers, aiding the regeneration of tropical forests, will get an exclusive Centre of Excellence for its conversation through scientific research, habitat restoration, and community engagement

Tamil Nadu government has accorded administrative sanction for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in the state, placing Tamil Nadu at the forefront of hornbill conservation in India.

The move is also aimed at preserving tropical forest ecosystems in the Western Ghats.

ATR in Coimbatore district was selected for its ecological richness and existing conservation infrastructure with focus on four species found in the Western Ghats -- the Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus), Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus), and Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris).

Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary (Environment & Forests), said the centre will focus on collecting data-driven insights on hornbill distribution, breeding, and behaviour, Long-term monitoring, telemetry, and ecological studies, planting native hornbill food trees like Ficus, Myristica, and Canarium in degraded areas, involving students, and creating awareness.

“This initiative is yet another milestone in Tamil Nadu's bold conservation journey, following the establishment of India's first Dugong Conservation Reserve, the Nilgiri Tahr Project, Slender Loris Conservation centre and Al-powered elephant conservation in Madukkarai,” she said.

Anamalai Tiger Reserve, with its legacy of protecting multiple endangered species, will now serve as a hub for hornbill ecology and conservation leadership, Sahu added.

With their large beaks, booming calls, and the distinct sound of their powerful wing beats, hornbills are captivating symbols of tropical forests and their unique breeding biology exemplifies parental care. Beyond their unique appearance and breeding behaviour, hornbills play a critical ecological role as seed dispersers, maintaining the plant diversity of tropical forests.

“Their dependence on large, mature trees for nesting cavities, low population densities, and slow breeding rates make them particularly

susceptible to habitat loss and deforestation. The Western Ghats are a critical region for hornbill conservation, hosting four hornbill species,” a GO issued by the government said.

Several research studies have identified key areas for hornbill conservation in the state, particularly the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (for the Malabar Grey and Great Hornbills), the Athikadavu-Pilur-Bhavanisagar Valley (for Malabar Pied-Hornbill), and drier forests such as in Sathyamangalam for the Indian Grey Hornbill.