T.N. government notifies 100 reserve forests in last five years

The Tamil Nadu government has notified 100 new forest blocks as Reserved Forests across the State between 2021 and 2025, expanding the legally-protected forest area by about 13,495 hectares, according to an official release issued on Friday (January 9, 2026).

The notifications were made under Section 16 of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, after settlement of rights and field verification by Forest Settlement Officers, the release said. With this, the extent of Reserved Forests in the State has increased by around 135 sq. km over the last five years.

The newly notified forest blocks are spread across 10 districts — Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Madurai, Kallakurichi, Theni, Sivagangai, Namakkal, the Nilgiris, Salem, and Tenkasi. Dindigul accounts for the highest number of new blocks (37), followed by the Nilgiris (20) and Theni (8).

In terms of area, Kallakurichi has the largest extent brought under Reserved Forest status at about 4,118 hectares, followed by Dindigul (about 3,274 hectares) and Theni (about 3,011 hectares). The Highwavy Forest block in Theni district is the single largest notified block, covering 2,836 hectares.

An event was held on Friday to mark the notification of the 100 forest blocks, during which a publication documenting the notifications was released by Minister for Forests and Khadi R.S. Rajakannappan. Senior officials of the Environment, Climate Change and Forests department were present.

According to the release, Tamil Nadu currently has 24.47% of its geographical area under forest and tree cover, against the national policy objective of 33% envisaged under the National Forest Policy, 1988.

Officials said that the expansion of Reserved Forests would strengthen legal protection for wildlife habitats, watersheds, and ecological corridors, and contribute to climate mitigation through increased carbon sequestration.