Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Arittapatti, Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)

Mains level: Not Much

Arittapatti

The Tamil Nadu Government has issued a notification declaring Arittapatti in Melur block, Madurai district, a biodiversity heritage site.

About Arittapatti

Arittapatti village, rich in ecological and historical significance, houses around 250 species of birds including three important raptors -birds of prey, namely the Laggar Falcon, the Shaheen Falcon and Bonelli’s Eagle.
It is also home to wildlife such as the Indian Pangolin, Slender Loris and pythons.
The biodiversity-rich area is surrounded by a chain of seven hillocks or inselbergs that serve as a watershed, charging 72 lakes, 200 natural springs and three check dams.
The Anaikondan tank, built during the reign of Pandiyan kings in the 16th century is one among them, the government notification said.
Several megalithic structures, rock-cut temples, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions and Jain beds add to the historical significance of the region.

What is a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)?

Biodiversity Heritage Sites are rich Biodiversity Areas and are important components of local ecosystems which are being conserved and managed by the society.
BHS are declared as per provision under Section 37(1) of Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
The State Government may, from time to time in consultation with the local bodies, notify the areas of biodiversity importance as biodiversity heritage sites under this Act.