Editing Tamil Nadu (section)

== Environment ==
=== Geography ===
{{Main|Geography of Tamil Nadu}}
[[File:Tamil Nadu topo deutsch mit Gebirgen.png|thumb|Topographic map of Tamil Nadu]]

Tamil Nadu covers an area of {{convert|130058|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}} and is the tenth-largest state in India.<ref name="DG"/> Located on the south-eastern coast of the [[Indian peninsula]], Tamil Nadu is straddled by the [[Western Ghats]] and [[Deccan Plateau]] in the west, the [[Eastern Ghats]] in the north, the [[Eastern Coastal Plains]] lining the [[Bay of Bengal]] in the east, the [[Gulf of Mannar]] and the [[Palk Strait]] to the south-east, and the [[Laccadive Sea]] at the southern [[Cape (geography)|cape]] of the peninsula.<ref>{{cite book|title=Chambers's Concise Gazetteer of the World|page=353|year=1907|publisher=W.& R.Chambers|first=David|last=Patrick}}</ref> Politically, Tamil Nadu is bound by the Indian states of [[Kerala]], [[Karnataka]], and [[Andhra Pradesh]], and the [[union territory]] of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]].  It shares an international [[maritime border]] with the [[Northern Province, Sri Lanka|Northern Province]] of [[Sri Lanka]] at [[Pamban Island]]. The [[Palk Strait]] and the chain of low sandbars and islands known as [[Rama's Bridge]] separate the region from [[Sri Lanka]], which lies off the southeastern coast.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Adam's bridge|url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9003680|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|year=2007|access-date=1 January 2016|archive-date=13 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113002452/http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9003680|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/srilanka.pdf|title=Map of Sri Lanka with Palk Strait and Palk Bay|publisher=UN|access-date=1 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117132426/http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/srilanka.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The southernmost tip of mainland India is at [[Kanyakumari (town)|Kanyakumari]] where the Indian Ocean meets the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/tamil-nadu/kanyakumari-cape-comorin|title=Kanyakumari alias Cape Comorin|publisher=Lonely Planet|access-date=1 January 2016|archive-date=3 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103130726/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/tamil-nadu/kanyakumari-cape-comorin|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Western Ghats Gobi.jpg|thumb|left|[[Western Ghats]] traverse along the western border of Tamil Nadu]]

The Western Ghats run south along the western boundary with the highest peak at [[Doddabetta]] ({{convert|2636|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}) in the [[Nilgiri Hills]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v403/n6772/fig_tab/403853a0_T6.html|title=Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities|journal=Nature|year=2000|doi=10.1038/35002501|access-date=16 November 2013|last1=Myers|first1=Norman|last2=Mittermeier|first2=Russell A.|last3=Mittermeier|first3=Cristina G.|last4=Da Fonseca|first4=Gustavo A. B.|last5=Kent|first5=Jennifer|volume=403|issue=6772|pages=853–858|pmid=10706275|bibcode=2000Natur.403..853M|s2cid=4414279|archive-date=9 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009072333/http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v403/n6772/fig_tab/403853a0_T6.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/58540809|title=Southern India: its history, people, commerce, and industrial resources|last1=Playne|first1=Somerset|last2=Bond|first2=J. W|last3=Wright|first3=Arnold|year=2004|publisher=Asian Educational Service|oclc=58540809|access-date=30 August 2023|page=417|archive-date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331152850/https://search.worldcat.org/title/58540809|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Eastern Ghats]] run parallel to the Bay of Bengal along the eastern coast and the strip of land between them forms the [[Coromandel Coast|Coromandel]] region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Eastern-Ghats|title=Eastern Ghats|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=2 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702092046/https://www.britannica.com/place/Eastern-Ghats|url-status=live}}</ref> They are a discontinuous range of mountains intersected by [[Kaveri River|Kaveri river]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of the World's Biomes|year=2020|isbn=978-0-128-16097-8|publisher=Elsevier Science|first1=Dominick A.|last1=DellaSala|first2=Michael I.|last2=Goldstei|page=546|location=Amsterdam}}</ref> Both mountain ranges meet at the [[Nilgiris (mountains)|Nilgiri]] mountains which run in a crescent approximately along the borders of Tamil Nadu with northern Kerala and Karnataka, extending to the relatively low-lying hills of the Eastern Ghats on the western portion of the Tamil Nadu–Andhra Pradesh border.<ref>{{cite book|last=Eagan|first=J. S. C|title=The Nilgiri Guide And Directory|url=https://archive.org/details/nilgiriguideandd031416mbp|publisher=S.P.C.K. Press|location=Chennai|isbn=978-1-149-48220-9|year=1916|page=30}}</ref> The [[Deccan plateau]] is the elevated region bound by the mountain ranges and the plateau slopes gently from west to east resulting in major rivers arising in the Western Ghats and flowing east into the Bay of Bengal.<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Journal of Earth Sciences|publisher=Indian Journal of Earth Sciences|first=Mihir|last=Bose|year=1977|page=21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://era-india.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ERA-East-Deccan-Moist-Deciduous-forests.pdf|title=Eastern Deccan Plateau Moist Forests|publisher=Ecological Restoration Alliance|access-date=5 January 2007|archive-date=3 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603083113/https://era-india.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ERA-East-Deccan-Moist-Deciduous-forests.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Jadoan|first=Atar Singh|title=Military Geography of South-East Asia|publisher=Anmol Publications|date=September 2001|isbn=978-8-126-11008-7}}</ref> The [[coastline of Tamil Nadu]] is {{convert|1076|km|abbr=on}} long, and is the second longest state [[coastline]] in the country after [[Gujarat]].<ref name=Info>{{cite web|url=http://iomenvis.nic.in/index3.aspx?sslid=882&subsublinkid=111&langid=1&mid=1|title=Centre for Coastal Zone Management and Coastal Shelter Belt|publisher=Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University Chennai|access-date=22 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110439/http://iomenvis.nic.in/index3.aspx?sslid=882&subsublinkid=111&langid=1&mid=1|url-status=live}}</ref> There are [[coral reef]]s located in the Gulf of Mannar and Lakshadweep islands.<ref>{{cite book|title=Coral Reefs of the World: Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Gulf|year=1988|page=84|publisher=United Nations Environment Programme|first1=Martin|last1=Jenkins}}</ref> Tamil Nadu's coastline was permanently altered by the [[Indian Ocean tsunami]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.gdrc.org/uem/disasters/disenvi/tsunami.html|title=The Indian Ocean Tsunami and its Environmental Impacts|publisher=Global Development Research Center|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=11 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211164107/http://www.gdrc.org/uem/disasters/disenvi/tsunami.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Geology ===
Tamil Nadu falls mostly in a region of low seismic hazard with the exception of the western border areas that lie in a low to moderate hazard zone; as per the 2002 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) map, Tamil Nadu falls in Zones II and III.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asc-india.org/maps/hazard/haz-tamil-nadu.htm|title=Tamil Nadu Hazard Zone map|publisher=Amateur Seismic Centre, Pune|date=30 March 2007|access-date=10 September 2012|archive-date=17 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717015554/http://asc-india.org/maps/hazard/haz-tamil-nadu.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The volcanic [[basalt]] beds of the Deccan plateau were laid down in the massive [[Deccan Traps]] eruption, which occurred towards the end of the [[Cretaceous]] period, between 67 and 66 million years ago.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/volcanic-eruption-dinosaur-extinction-1211|title=What really killed the dinosaurs?|publisher=MIT|first1=Jennifer|last1=Chu|date=11 December 2014|access-date=28 August 2023|archive-date=26 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226120208/http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/volcanic-eruption-dinosaur-extinction-1211|url-status=live}}</ref> Layer after layer was formed by the volcanic activity that lasted many years and when the volcanoes became extinct, they left a region of highlands with typically vast stretches of flat areas on top like a table.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/154969/Deccan|title=Deccan Plateau|encyclopedia=Britannica|access-date=1 January 2016|archive-date=1 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501005236/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/154969/Deccan|url-status=live}}</ref> The predominant soils of Tamil Nadu are [[red soil|red loam]], [[laterite soil|laterite]], [[chernozem|black]], [[alluvial soil|alluvial]] and [[saline soil|saline]]. Red soil, with a higher iron content, occupies a larger portion of the state and all the inland districts. Black soil is found in [[Kongu Nadu|western Tamil Nadu]] and parts of the southern coast. Alluvial soil is found in the fertile Kaveri delta region, with laterite soil found in pockets, and saline soil across the coast where the evaporation is high.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://dolr.gov.in/sites/default/files/TAMILNADU%20STATE%20PERSPECTIVE%20%26%20STRATEGIC%20PLAN.pdf|title=Strategic plan, Tamil Nadu perspective|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|page=20|archive-date=9 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309100229/https://dolr.gov.in/sites/default/files/TAMILNADU%20STATE%20PERSPECTIVE%20%26%20STRATEGIC%20PLAN.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map IND present.svg|thumb|Climatic zones of India]]

The region has a [[tropical climate]] and depends on monsoons for rainfall.<ref>{{cite book|last1=McKnight|first1=Tom L|last2=Hess|first2=Darrel|year=2000|chapter=Climate Zones and Types: The Köppen System|title=Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation|pages=[https://archive.org/details/physicalgeographmckn/page/205 205–211]|location=Upper Saddle River, NJ|publisher=Prentice Hall|isbn=978-0-130-20263-5|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/physicalgeographmckn|url=https://archive.org/details/physicalgeographmckn/page/205}}</ref> Tamil Nadu is divided into seven agro-climatic zones: northeast, northwest, west, southern, high rainfall, high altitude hilly, and [[Kaveri]] delta.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://farmech.dac.gov.in/FarmerGuide/TN/Introduction.htm|title=Farmers Guide, introduction|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=26 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626154923/https://farmech.dac.gov.in/FarmerGuide/TN/Introduction.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[tropical savanna climate|tropical wet and dry climate]] prevails over most of the inland peninsular region except for a semi-arid [[rain shadow]] east of the Western Ghats. Winter and early summer are long dry periods with temperatures averaging above {{convert|18|°C|°F|0}}; summer is exceedingly hot with temperatures in low-lying areas exceeding {{convert|50|°C|°F|0}}; and the rainy season lasts from June to September, with annual rainfall averaging between {{convert|750|and|1500|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} across the region. Once the dry northeast monsoon begins in September, most precipitation in India falls in Tamil Nadu, leaving other states comparatively dry.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1994174.stm|title=India's heatwave tragedy|work=[[BBC News]]|date=17 May 2002|access-date=20 March 2016|archive-date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331152820/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1994174.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> 

[[File:India_southwest_summer_monsoon_onset_map_en.svg|thumb|left|Tamil Nadu gets most of the rains from the [[monsoon]]]]

A [[hot semi-arid climate]] predominates in the land east of the Western Ghats which includes inland south and south central parts of the state and gets between {{convert|400|and|750|mm|1}} of rainfall annually, with hot summers and dry winters with temperatures around {{convert|20|–|24|C|F}}. The months between March and May are hot and dry, with mean monthly temperatures hovering around {{convert|32|C|F}}, with {{convert|320|mm|in|0}} precipitation. Without artificial irrigation, this region is not suitable for agriculture.<ref>{{cite book|last=Caviedes|first=C. N.|title=El Niño in History: Storming Through the Ages|edition=1st|publisher=University Press of Florida|date=18 September 2001|isbn=978-0-813-02099-0}}</ref>

The [[southwest monsoon]] from June to September accounts for most of the rainfall in the west of the region. The Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon hits the Western Ghats from Kerala and moves northward along the [[Konkan coast]], with precipitation on the western region of the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wgbis.ces.iisc.ac.in/biodiversity/sahyadri/wgbis_info/climate.htm|title=Climate of Western Ghats|publisher=Indian Institute of Science|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521124321/https://wgbis.ces.iisc.ac.in/biodiversity/sahyadri/wgbis_info/climate.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The lofty Western Ghats prevent the winds from reaching the Deccan Plateau; hence, the leeward region (the region deprived of winds) receives very little rainfall.<ref>{{NatGeo ecoregion|id=im0209|name=South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests|access-date=5 January 2005}}</ref><ref>{{WWF ecoregion|id=im0209|name=South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests|access-date=5 January 2005}}</ref> The Bay of Bengal branch of the southwest monsoon heads toward northeast India, picking up moisture from the Bay of Bengal. The Coramandel coast does not receive much rainfall from the southwest monsoon, due to the shape of the land.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/science/Indian-monsoon|title=Indian monsoon|publisher=Britannica|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=1 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801140005/https://www.britannica.com/science/Indian-monsoon|url-status=live}}</ref> The northern and eastern parts of Tamil Nadu receive most of their rains from the [[northeast monsoon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdchennai.gov.in/northeast_monsoon.htm|title=North East Monsoon|publisher=[[Indian Meteorological Department]]|access-date=1 January 2016|archive-date=29 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229133725/http://www.imdchennai.gov.in/northeast_monsoon.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> 

The northeast monsoon takes place from November to early March, when the surface [[high-pressure system]] is strongest.<ref>{{cite book|title=Climatology|first1=Robert V.|last1=Rohli|first2=Anthony J.|last2=Vega|page=204|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Publishers|year=2007|isbn=978-0-763-73828-0}}</ref> The [[North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone]]s occur throughout the year in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, bringing devastating winds and heavy rainfall.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/climatology/annualcd.pdf|title=Annual frequency of cyclonic disturbances over the Bay of Bengal (BOB), Arabian Sea (AS) and land surface of India|publisher=[[India Meteorological Department]]|access-date=1 January 2023|archive-date=23 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623160147/https://rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/uploads/climatology/annualcd.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/cyclone.html|title=The only difference between a hurricane, a cyclone, and a typhoon is the location where the storm occurs|publisher=NOAA|access-date=1 October 2014|archive-date=11 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111165427/https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/cyclone.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The annual rainfall of the state is about {{convert|945|mm|in|abbr=on}} of which 48 per cent is through the northeast monsoon, and 52 per cent through the southwest monsoon. The state has only 3% of the water resources nationally and is entirely dependent on rains for recharging its water resources. Monsoon failures lead to acute [[water scarcity]] and [[2016–17 Drought in Tamil Nadu|severe drought]].<ref>{{cite report|title=Assessment of Recent Droughts in Tamil Nadu|url=https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1057&context=droughtnetnews|publisher=Water Technology Centre, Indian Agricultural Research Institute|date=October 1995|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=23 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223140326/https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1057&context=droughtnetnews|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|url=https://dolr.gov.in/sites/default/files/TAMILNADU%20STATE%20PERSPECTIVE%20%26%20STRATEGIC%20PLAN.pdf|title=Strategic plan, Tamil Nadu perspective|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|page=3|archive-date=9 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309100229/https://dolr.gov.in/sites/default/files/TAMILNADU%20STATE%20PERSPECTIVE%20%26%20STRATEGIC%20PLAN.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Flora and fauna ===
{{Main|Wildlife of Tamil Nadu|List of birds of Tamil Nadu}}
[[File:9113jpg.jpg|thumb|Tamil Nadu has one of the largest population of [[Asian elephant]]s]]

Forests occupy an area of {{convert|22,643|km2|abbr=on}} constituting 17.4% of the geographic area.<ref name="TNAU"/> There is a wide diversity of plants and animals in Tamil Nadu, resulting from its varied climates and geography. [[South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests|Deciduous forests]] are found along the Western Ghats while [[South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests|tropical dry forests]] and [[Deccan thorn scrub forests|scrub lands]] are common in the interior.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://fsi.nic.in/isfr19/vol2/isfr-2019-vol-ii-tamilnadu.pdf|title=Forest Survey of Tamil Nadu|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 May 2024|year=2019}}</ref> The southern Western Ghats have rain forests located at high altitudes called the [[South Western Ghats montane rain forests]].<ref>{{cite report|url=https://era-india.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/South-Western-Ghats-Montane-Rainforest.pdf|title=South Western Ghats montane rain forests|publisher=Ecological Restoration Alliance|access-date=15 April 2006|archive-date=9 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309224923/https://era-india.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/South-Western-Ghats-Montane-Rainforest.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The Western Ghats eco-region is one of the eight hottest [[biodiversity hotspot]]s in the world and a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342/multiple%3D1%26unique_number%3D1921|title=Western Ghats|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=21 February 2014|archive-date=18 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118010253/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342/multiple%3D1%26unique_number%3D1921|url-status=live}}</ref> There are about 2,000 species of wildlife that are native to Tamil Nadu, 5640 species of [[angiosperm]]s (including 1,559 species of [[medicinal plant]]s, 533 [[endemism|endemic]] species, 260 species of wild relatives of cultivated plants, 230 [[red-listed]] species), 64 species of [[gymnosperm]]s (including four indigenous species and 60 introduced species) and 184 species of [[pteridophyte]]s apart from [[bryophyte]]s, [[lichen]], [[fungi]], [[algae]], and [[bacteria]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tnenvis.nic.in/tnenvis_old/forest.htm|title=Forests of Tamil Nadu|publisher=Environmental Information System (ENVIS)|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224000441/http://tnenvis.nic.in/tnenvis_old/forest.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Common plant species include the state tree: [[Borassus flabellifer#Cultural symbolism|palmyra palm]], [[eucalyptus]], rubber, [[cinchona]], clumping bamboos (''[[Bambusa]] arundinacea''), [[Tectona grandis|common teak]], ''[[Anogeissus latifolia]]'', [[Terminalia tomentosa|Indian laurel]], [[grewia]], and blooming trees like [[Cassia fistula|Indian laburnum]], [[ardisia]], and [[solanaceae]]. Rare and unique plant life includes ''Combretum ovalifolium'', [[ebony]] (''Diospyros nilagrica''), ''[[Habenaria]] rariflora'' (orchid), ''[[Cyathea sect. Alsophila|Alsophila]]'', ''[[Impatiens]] elegans'', ''[[Ranunculus]] reniformis'', and [[Osmunda regalis|royal fern]].<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.environment.tn.gov.in/Document/archives/Biodiversity.pdf|title=Biodiversity, Tamil Nadu Dept. of Forests|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=10 September 2012|archive-date=29 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629090946/https://www.environment.tn.gov.in/Document/archives/Biodiversity.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:A courting male in Eravikulam NP AJTJohnsingh DSCN2997.jpg|thumb|left|[[Nilgiri tahr]], an [[endangered]] animal found only in the [[Nilgiris]], is the state animal]]

Important ecological regions of Tamil Nadu are the [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]] in the [[Nilgiri Hills]], the [[Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve]] in the [[Agastya Mala]]-[[Cardamom Hills]] and [[Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park|Gulf of Mannar]] coral reefs.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/biosphere.pdf|title=Biosphere Reserves in India|publisher=[[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]], [[Government of India]]|date=2019|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205222104/http://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/biosphere.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve]] covers an area of {{cvt|10500|km2}} of ocean, islands and the adjoining coastline including [[coral reef]]s, [[salt marsh]]es and mangroves. It is home to [[endangered]] aquatic species, including [[dolphin]]s, [[dugong]]s, [[whale]]s and [[Holothuroidea|sea cucumbers]].<ref>{{cite book|page=10|title=Environment impact assessment|first1=J.|last1=Sacratees|first2=R.|last2=Karthigarani|publisher=APH Publishing|year=2008|isbn=978-8-131-30407-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Conservation and Sustainable-use of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve's Coastal Biodiversity|date=5 April 2001 |url=https://www.thegef.org/projects-operations/projects/634|publisher=Global Environment Facility|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225102135/https://www.thegef.org/projects-operations/projects/634|url-status=live}}</ref> Bird sanctuaries, including [[Thattekad Bird Sanctuary|Thattekad]], [[Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary|Kadalundi]], [[Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary|Vedanthangal]], [[Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary|Ranganathittu]], [[Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary|Kumarakom]], [[Neelapattu Sanctuary|Neelapattu]], and [[Pulicat Lake|Pulicat]], are home to numerous migratory and local birds.<ref>{{cite book|title=The birds of southern India, including Madras, Malabar, Travancore, Cochin, Coorg and Mysore|first1=H.R.|last1=Baker|first2=Chas. M.|last2=Inglis|year=1930|publisher=Superintendent, Government Press|place=Chennai}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Birds of Southern India|first1=Richard|last1=Grimmett|first2=Tim|last2=Inskipp|date=30 November 2005|publisher=A&C Black}}</ref><ref name="ENVIS"/>

[[File:Tiger_Drinking_Pond_Mudumalai_Mar21_DSC01310.jpg|thumb|[[Bengal tiger]] at [[Mudumalai National Park]]]]

Protected areas cover an area of {{convert|3305|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, constituting 2.54% of the geographic area and 15% of the {{convert|22643|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} recorded forest area of the state.<ref name="TNAU">{{cite web|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|url=https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/forestry/forest_wildlife_resources_index.html|title=Forest Wildlife resources|access-date=1 February 2023|archive-date=29 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129055829/https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/forestry/forest_wildlife_resources_index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary]], established in 1936, was India's first [[List of wildlife sanctuaries of India|wildlife sanctuary]].<ref>{{cite web|work=Bird life international|title=Vedanthangal and Karikili Bird Sanctuary|url=https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/vedanthangal-and-karikili-bird-sanctuary-iba-india|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318164345/http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/vedanthangal-and-karikili-bird-sanctuary-iba-india|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mudumalai National Park]] was established later in 1940.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Hegde, R.|author2=Enters, T.|title=Forest products and household economy: a case study from Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern India|date=2000|journal=Environmental Conservation|volume=27|issue=3|pages=250–259|doi=10.1017/S037689290000028X|s2cid=86160884|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231857621}}</ref> The protected areas are administered by the [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)|Ministry of Environment and Forests]] of the government of India and the [[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]]. [[Pichavaram]] consists of a number of islands interspersing the [[Vellar River|Vellar]] estuary in the north and [[Coleroon]] estuary in the south with [[mangrove]] forests. The Pichavaram mangrove forests is one of the largest mangrove forests in India covering {{cvt|45|km2}} and supports the existence of rare varieties of economically important shells, fishes and migrant birds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5446/|title=Pichavaram|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=3 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003014529/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5446/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walkthroughindia.com/walkthroughs/top-5-largest-mangrove-and-swamp-forest-in-india|title=Top 5 Largest Mangrove and Swamp Forest in India|date=7 January 2014|publisher=Walk through India|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=16 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816063146/http://www.walkthroughindia.com/walkthroughs/top-5-largest-mangrove-and-swamp-forest-in-india/|url-status=live}}</ref> The state has five [[National parks of India|National Parks]] covering {{convert|307.84|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}{{ndash}}[[Indira Gandhi National Park|Anamalai]], Mudumalai, [[Mukurthi National Park|Mukurthi]], [[Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park|Gulf of Mannar]], a marine national park and [[Guindy National Park|Guindy]], an urban national park within Chennai.<ref name="ENVIS"/> Tamil Nadu has 18 [[Protected areas of India#Wildlife sanctuaries|wildlife sanctuaries]].<ref name="ENVIS"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/mar/21/tamil-nadus-18th-wildlife-sanctuary-to-come-up-in-erode-2558036.html|title=Tamil Nadu's 18th wildlife sanctuary to come up in Erode|date=21 March 2023|access-date=24 August 2023|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]|archive-date=24 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824135751/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/mar/21/tamil-nadus-18th-wildlife-sanctuary-to-come-up-in-erode-2558036.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Tamil Nadu is home to one of the largest populations of endangered [[Bengal tigers]] and [[Indian elephants]] in India.<ref>{{cite book|last=Panwar|first=H. S.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YdC-wfyZwZEC&pg=PA110|title=Project Tiger: The reserves, the tigers, and their future|publisher=Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, N.J.|pages=110–117|year=1987|isbn=978-0-815-51133-5|access-date=23 December 2023|archive-date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331152818/https://books.google.com/books?id=YdC-wfyZwZEC&pg=PA110|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mysore/Project_elephant_status_for_Bhadra_sanctuary/articleshow/4066438.cms|title=Project Elephant Status|date=2 February 2009|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|access-date=24 February 2009|archive-date=2 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802102040/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mysore/Project_elephant_status_for_Bhadra_sanctuary/articleshow/4066438.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> There are five declared elephant sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu as per [[Project Elephant]]{{ndash}}Agasthyamalai, [[Anamalai Tiger Reserve|Anamalai]], [[Coimbatore Elephant Reserve|Coimbatore]], Nilgiris and [[Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve|Srivilliputtur]].<ref name="ENVIS">{{cite web|title=Bio-Diversity and Wild Life in Tamil Nadu|url=http://tnenvis.nic.in/Database/SoilResources_1171.aspx|publisher=ENVIS|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410055618/http://tnenvis.nic.in/Database/SoilResources_1171.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Tamil Nadu participates in [[Project Tiger]] and has five declared [[tiger reserves of India|tiger reserves]]{{ndash}}Anamalai, [[Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve|Kalakkad-Mundanthurai]], [[Mudumalai Tiger Reserve|Mudumalai]], [[Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary|Sathyamangalam]] and Megamalai.<ref name="ENVIS"/><ref name="MOEF">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=44799|title=Eight New Tiger Reserves|date=13 November 2008|work=Press Release|publisher=Ministry of Environment and Forests, Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India|access-date=2009-10-31|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193258/http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=44799|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kumar|first=B. Aravind|date=6 February 2021|title=Srivilliputhur–Megamalai Tiger Reserve in TN approved|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/srivilliputhurmegamalai-tiger-reserve-in-tn-approved/article33766578.ece|access-date=28 May 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419202157/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/srivilliputhurmegamalai-tiger-reserve-in-tn-approved/article33766578.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> There are seventeen declared bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu.<ref name="ENVIS"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Migratory birds flock to Vettangudi Sanctuary|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=9 November 2004|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/migratory-birds-flock-to-vettangudi-sanctuary/article27715325.ece|access-date=25 August 2023|archive-date=25 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825122713/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/migratory-birds-flock-to-vettangudi-sanctuary/article27715325.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kazhuveli wetland in Tamil Nadu declared bird sanctuary|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=7 December 2021|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/tamil-nadu-kazhuveli-wetland-bird-sanctuary-7660209/|access-date=25 August 2023|archive-date=25 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825130556/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/tamil-nadu-kazhuveli-wetland-bird-sanctuary-7660209/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Pichavaram_1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Mangrove]] forests at [[Pichavaram]]]]

There is one conservation reserve at [[Tiruvidaimarudur Conservation Reserve|Tiruvidaimarudur]] in [[Thanjavur district]]. There are two [[List of protected areas in India#Zoos|zoos]] recognised by the [[Central Zoo Authority of India]] namely [[Arignar Anna Zoological Park]] and [[Madras Crocodile Bank Trust]], both located in [[Chennai]].<ref name="ENVIS"/> The state has other smaller zoos run by local administrative bodies such as [[VOC park and zoo|Coimbatore Zoo]] in [[Coimbatore]], [[Amirthi Zoological Park]] in [[Vellore]], Kurumpampatti Wildlife Park in [[Salem district|Salem]], Yercaud Deer Park in [[Yercaud]], Mukkombu Deer Park in [[Tiruchirapalli district|Tiruchirapalli]] and Ooty Deer Park in [[Nilgiris district|Nilgiris]].<ref name="ENVIS"/> There are five crocodile farms located at [[Amaravathi Dam#Crocodiles|Amaravati]] in [[Coimbatore district]], [[Hogenakkal (village)|Hogenakkal]] in [[Dharmapuri district]], Kurumbapatti in [[Salem district]], [[Madras Crocodile Bank Trust]] in [[Chennai]] and [[Sathanur Reservoir|Sathanur]] in [[Tiruvannamalai district]].<ref name="ENVIS"/> Threatened and endangered species found in the region include the [[grizzled giant squirrel]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.com/wildlife/grizzled-squirrel-sanctuary.php|title=Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=2 February 2023|archive-date=8 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208034129/https://www.tamilnadutourism.com/wildlife/grizzled-squirrel-sanctuary.php|url-status=live}}</ref> [[grey slender loris]],<ref>{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=M.|last2=Lindburg|first2=D.G.|last3=Udhayan|first3=A.|last4= Kumar|first4=M.A.|last5=Kumara|first5=H.N.|year=1999|title=Status survey of slender loris Loris tardigradus lydekkerianus|publisher=Oryx|pages=31–37}}</ref> [[sloth bear]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Daroji-an ecological destination|last=Kottur|first=Samad|publisher=Drongo|year=2012|isbn=978-9-3508-7269-7}}</ref> [[Nilgiri tahr]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/nilgiri-tahr-population-over-3000-wwfindia/article7717561.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|title=Nilgiri tahr population over 3,000: WWF-India|date=3 October 2015|access-date=19 March 2016|archive-date=8 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208090051/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/nilgiri-tahr-population-over-3000-wwfindia/article7717561.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Nilgiri langur]],<ref>{{cite report|last1=Malviya|first1=M.|last2=Srivastav|first2=A.|last3=Nigam|first3=P.|last4=Tyagi|first4=P.C.|title=Indian National Studbook of Nilgiri Langur (''Trachypithecus johnii'')|url=https://www.cza.nic.in/Nilgiri%20Langur%20studbook.pdf|year=2011|publisher=[[Wildlife Institute of India]], Dehradun and [[Central Zoo Authority]], New Delhi|access-date=19 March 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023432/http://www.cza.nic.in/Nilgiri%20Langur%20studbook.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[lion-tailed macaque]],<ref>{{cite iucn|author=Singh, M.|author2=Kumar, A.|author3=Kumara, H.N.|date=2020|title=''Macaca silenus''|volume=2020|page=e.T12559A17951402|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T12559A17951402.en|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> and the [[Indian leopard]].<ref>{{cite iucn|author=Stein, A.B.|author2=Athreya, V.|author3=Gerngross, P.|author4=Balme, G.|author5=Henschel, P.|author6=Karanth, U.|author7=Miquelle, D.|author8=Rostro-Garcia, S.|author9=Kamler, J.F.|author10=Laguardia, A.|author11=Khorozyan, I.|author12=Ghoddousi, A.|date=2020|title=''Panthera pardus''|volume=2020|page=e.T15954A163991139|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T15954A163991139.en|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" style="font-size: 85%"
|+Symbols of Tamil Nadu<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiienvis.nic.in/KidsCentre/state_symbols_india_8411.aspx|title=State Symbols of India|publisher=Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India|access-date=30 August 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922102907/https://wiienvis.nic.in/KidsCentre/state_symbols_india_8411.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tnbb.tn.gov.in/state-symbol.php|title=Symbols of Tamil Nadu|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=12 August 2023|archive-date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331152841/https://tnbb.tn.gov.in/state-symbol.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Animal
!Bird
!Butterfly 
!Tree
!Fruit
!Flower
|-
|[[Nilgiri tahr]] (''Nilgiritragus hylocrius'')
|[[Common emerald dove|Emerald dove]] (''Chalcophaps indica'')
|[[Cirrochroa thais|Tamil Yeoman]] (''Cirrochroa thais'')
|[[Borassus flabellifer|Palmyra palm]] (''Borassus flabellifer'')
|[[Jackfruit]] (''Artocarpus heterophyllus'')
|[[Gloriosa superba|Glory lily]] (''Gloriosa superba'')
|}