Chennai : Horasholions Welfare Trust has urged the Government of Tamil Nadu to establish a long-term “Chief Minister’s Nilgiris Restoration Mission – 2035” to protect the Nilgiris’ water security, fragile mountain ecology, disaster resilience and sustainable development. The Trust highlighted that the Nilgiris’ shola forests, grasslands, streams, wetlands, watersheds, agricultural lands, wildlife habitats and hill towns form an interconnected mountain ecosystem, with the representation stating that approximately one-sixth of the water flowing into the Cauvery originates in the Nilgiris.
Government data cited by the Trust shows that the “Moderate Forest” classification declined from 657.1 sq. km in 2013 to 600.3 sq. km in 2023 (-8.64%), while Bare/Sparse Vegetation increased from 86.2 to 102.4 sq. km (+18.79%) and Built-up Land increased from 31.3 to 33.1 sq. km (+5.75%). The Trust also cited 284 disaster-vulnerable locations in the district, including 68 “most affected” and 89 “more affected” locations. It clarified that the 8.64% figure refers only to the Moderate Forest classification and not to an 8.64% loss of the Nilgiris’ total forest area.
The proposed Nilgiris Restoration Mission – 2035 would bring Government departments, scientists, local communities and stakeholders under one coordinated framework. Key proposals include scientific assessment of ecology, water resources, land use and carrying capacity; restoration of lakes, streams, wetlands, shola forests and grasslands; management of exotic species; restoration of approximately 2,000 hectares annually for 10 years; protection of wildlife corridors; GIS-based monitoring of construction and land use; responsible tourism, transport and waste management; and transparent annual progress monitoring. The Trust has also proposed a Nilgiris Restoration Task Force within three months, a comprehensive GIS and field assessment within six months, a public monitoring dashboard within nine months and a measurable restoration and infrastructure plan within 12 months, while seeking an opportunity for a citizens’ delegation to meet the Hon’ble Chief Minister and concerned Government departments.