Tamil Nadu Revamps Endangered Species Fund: Focus on Malabar Civet and Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat

CURRENT AFFAIRS: Tamil Nadu Endangered Species Fund 2025, AIWC Vandalur, Malabar Large-Spotted Civet Conservation, Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat Protection, Western Ghats Wildlife, Wildlife Research Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Revamps Endangered Species Fund: Focus on Malabar Civet and Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat

New Conservation Strategy in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Revamps Endangered Species Fund: Focus on Malabar Civet and Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat: In a major administrative shift, Tamil Nadu has reassigned the ₹50 crore Endangered Species Conservation Fund to the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC). This decision was taken after concerns were raised about the inactivity of the previous manager, the State Forest Development Agency (SFDA). The move marks a new chapter for the conservation of rare and critically endangered species like the Malabar civet and Salim Ali’s fruit bat, both of which are on the verge of extinction.

Role of the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation

The AIWC, based in Vandalur near Chennai, is a government-run institution established in 2017 under the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Its core mission is to combine scientific research with conservation practice. The institute plays a vital role in field-based studies, capacity building, and conservation technology deployment. AIWC collaborates with zoos, researchers, and universities to create a knowledge-driven conservation model that prioritises rare and endangered species.

Spotlight on the Malabar Large-Spotted Civet

Among the species receiving urgent attention is the Malabar large-spotted civet (Viverra civettina), one of the most critically endangered carnivores in the world. Once common in the lowland forests of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the civet has now been pushed to small forest fragments and cashew plantations due to habitat destruction. Weighing around 18–20 lbs, the civet is known for its grey fur, prominent black spots, and a unique black dorsal crest. A solitary nocturnal hunter, its diet includes reptiles, birds, fruits, and small mammals, making it an integral part of the local ecosystem.

Goals of the Reallocated Fund

The revamped conservation fund is designed to facilitate the surveying, mapping, and monitoring of endangered species across Tamil Nadu. The AIWC will now invite research grants, enabling scientists and conservationists to carry out species-specific action plans. The effort will not be limited to protected areas; it also seeks to safeguard wildlife in human-dominated landscapes, which often serve as unacknowledged sanctuaries for lesser-known species.

Challenges and The Road Ahead

The switch from SFDA to AIWC highlights governance and accountability gaps in wildlife conservation projects. With AIWC’s evidence-based approach, Tamil Nadu hopes to eliminate delays and fund stagnation, ensuring that endangered species get the timely attention they need. Conservationists view this development as a positive step toward proactive wildlife management, especially as biodiversity faces growing pressure from climate change and land-use shifts.

STATIC GK SNAPSHOT

Category Details
Conservation Fund ₹50 crore Endangered Species Conservation Fund
Current Managing Body Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC)
Location Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Established October 2017
Key Species Malabar Civet, Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat
Malabar Civet Scientific Name Viverra civettina
Malabar Civet Status (IUCN) Critically Endangered
AIWC Functions Research, training, conservation tech support
Past Managing Body State Forest Development Agency (SFDA)
Habitat Focus Area Western Ghats and fragmented cashew plantations
Tamil Nadu Revamps Endangered Species Fund: Focus on Malabar Civet and Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat
  1. Tamil Nadu has reassigned its ₹50 crore Endangered Species Fund to the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC).
  2. The AIWC, located in Vandalur, will now manage species conservation projects across the state.
  3. The State Forest Development Agency (SFDA) was replaced due to prolonged inactivity and governance issues.
  4. The fund prioritizes species like the Malabar large-spotted civet and Salim Ali’s fruit bat.
  5. AIWC was established in October 2017 under the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
  6. The institute focuses on research, conservation training, and technological support for wildlife.
  7. The Malabar civet (Viverra civettina) is listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN.
  8. The civet is a nocturnal carnivore once found widely across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  9. Habitat destruction has forced the Malabar civet into cashew plantations and forest patches.
  10. The Malabar civet is identifiable by its grey fur, black spots, and black dorsal crest.
  11. Salim Ali’s fruit bat is another endangered species now under AIWC conservation focus.
  12. The conservation fund enables species-specific surveys, mapping, and research grants.
  13. The initiative covers non-protected areas where lesser-known species often reside.
  14. AIWC collaborates with zoos, research institutes, and universities for holistic conservation.
  15. The fund’s goal includes proactive species monitoring and action plan implementation.
  16. The Western Ghats are a key habitat for endangered species like the Malabar civet.
  17. Conservationists support the AIWC-led plan for its evidence-based conservation model.
  18. The shift in fund management addresses issues of accountability and fund stagnation.
  19. Tamil Nadu aims to improve wildlife protection amid threats like climate change.
  20. This revamp marks a shift toward scientific and transparent wildlife governance in the state.

Q1. Which institution now manages Tamil Nadu’s ₹50 crore Endangered Species Conservation Fund?


Q2. Where is the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) located?


Q3. What is the IUCN status of the Malabar large-spotted civet?


Q4. What is the scientific name of the Malabar civet?


Q5. 5. What major reason led to the fund’s reallocation from SFDA to AIWC?


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