Tamil Nadu shifts gears on endangered species fund management

New management for species protection

Tamil Nadu shifts gears on endangered species fund management: Tamil Nadu’s mission to protect its endangered species has taken a new turn in 2025. What began as a ₹50 crore corpus fund under the State Forest Development Agency (SFDA) has now found a fresh manager. This fund was first introduced in 2024 as a dedicated step to conserve rare wildlife in the state.

While the SFDA was initially expected to steer the initiative, things didn’t move as planned. The department encountered some administrative bottlenecks, leading to a rethink on who should handle this critical task. For a brief period, even the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Foundation was brought in to take charge. Meanwhile, the corpus amount was safely parked with public sector entities like the Tamil Nadu Power Finance Corporation and the Tamil Nadu Transport Development Finance Corporation.

AIWC takes over the reins

As of 2025, the fund has found a new and more research-focused home—the Advanced Institute of Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) in Vandalur. This institution has carved a name for itself in wildlife study and training. Recently registered as a society, it now has the official capacity to manage state funds and projects.

With AIWC stepping in, the expectations are clear. The fund will now actively invite grant proposals for studies on endangered species unique to Tamil Nadu. This opens the door for researchers and conservationists to work on rare and neglected species that don’t often get mainstream attention.

Focus on Tamil Nadu’s rare species

Some of the species likely to benefit from this change include the elusive Malabar Civet, the White-rumped Vulture (a critically endangered bird), and the Nilgiris Wart Frog. Amphibians like the White-spotted Bush Frog and the Anamalai Flying Frog are also part of the list. Not to forget Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat, a species named after one of India’s most famous ornithologists.

Static GK tip: The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, established in 1940, is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in southern India. The White-rumped Vulture is listed as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List.

By handing over responsibilities to a research-driven body, the state hopes to streamline conservation efforts and make sure the fund is used where it matters most—on the ground, among species that need immediate attention.

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