India’s First Hornbill Hub: Anamalai Tiger Reserve
The Tamil Nadu government has pioneered a significant conservation milestone by establishing the Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at Attakatti (Valparai range), within the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR). Funded by the Endangered Species Conservation Corps Fund, the project is a proactive response to the decline of these “Farmers of the Forest.”
The Four Targeted Species
The initiative focuses on the four species of hornbills native to the Western Ghats:
- Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis): Vulnerable. The largest and most iconic flagship species.
- Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus): Vulnerable. Endemic to the Western Ghats.
- Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus): Near Threatened.
- Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris): Least Concern. Widely distributed in drier regions.
Strategic Conservation Framework
The centre combines scientific rigour with community involvement to address the threats of habitat fragmentation and climate change.
Core Pillars of the Project
- Habitat Restoration: Planting native fruiting trees like Fig (Ficus) and Canarium to provide stable food sources.
- Nest Adoption Programme: Inspired by successful models in Arunachal Pradesh, local communities (specifically the Kadar tribe) are incentivised to protect and monitor nesting trees.
- Citizen Science & Tech: Developing tools for the public to report sightings and using AI-driven data to map populations.
- Inter-State Expansion: While headquartered at ATR, the initiative will extend to KMTR (Kalakkad Mundanthurai), Sathyamangalam, and Kanyakumari.
Ecological Significance
Hornbills are keystone species and “secondary cavity nesters.” They cannot dig their own holes; they rely on old, large trees with natural hollows. By protecting hornbills, the state effectively protects the oldest and most vital sections of the Western Ghats rainforest.
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Attakatti, Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) |
| Funding | ₹1 Crore |
| Key Partners | NCF, SACON, WII, and IUCN |
| Nesting Season | January to May (Critical period for protection) |