- The state government of Tamil Nadu recently issued a notification declaring Madurai district’s Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages as the state’s first biodiversity heritage site.
- The Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site spans across two villages – Arittapatti village (Melur block) and Meenakshipuram village (Madurai East taluk).
- Arittapatti village is known for its ecological and historical significance. It hosts some 250 bird species, including three important raptors (birds of prey) – the Laggar Falcon, the Shaheen Falcon and Bonelli’s Eagle. It also hosts Indian Pangolin, Slender Loris and pythons and others.
- The area is surrounded by a chain of seven hillocks or inselbergs that are a source of water for 72 lakes, 200 natural springs and 3 check dams.
- The 16th century Anaikondan tank, which was built during the reign of the Pandiyan kings, is one of them.
- This BHS is also historically significant because of the presence of several megalithic structures, rock-cut temples, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions and Jain beds.
- Its notification as the BHS will further help prevent biodiversity loss and preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of the region.
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