The Tamil Nadu Forest Department launched a drone to survey the flora and fauna in Nanmangalam forest on Monday.
The technology was launched as part of the International Day for Biological Diversity, which was celebrated in a grand manner at the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project building that is located inside the forest.
Forest Minister Dindigul C. Srinivasan said the Madhya Pradesh government was successfully using drones to assess various issues related to the conservation and protection of wildlife in forests in that State.
The drone could be used round the clock.
Based on the feedback received from forest officials, the technology would be used in other reserved forests, including in the Western Ghats soon, the Minister said.
Cash incentives
He distributed cash incentives to the tune of ₹10.08 lakh to 36 members of the Irula community as part of the revenue sharing mechanism.
Mr. Srinivasan also provided loans to forest self-help groups based out of Chengalpattu under the biodiversity welfare development fund.
Md. Nasimuddin, principal secretary, Environment and Forest Department, wanted the forest officials to make protection a mass movement by sensitising all sections of the people in their endeavour to safeguard valuable ecosystems.
He also asked officials of the forest department to come out with innovative ideas on biodiversity management.
A rally marking biodiversity day was held on the Marina in the morning.
The theme of the event was ‘Biological Diversity and Sustainable Tourism’.
