India’s First Hornbill Conservation Centre

India’s First Hornbill Conservation Centre – Established at Anamalai Tiger Reserve

The Tamil Nadu government has taken a groundbreaking step in wildlife conservation by launching India’s first Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in the Coimbatore district. This pioneering initiative underscores the growing recognition of hornbills as essential architects of tropical forest ecosystems, and the urgent need to protect them from mounting environmental threats.

A Critical Step in Avian Conservation

Hornbills are among the most vital yet vulnerable bird species in India’s forests. Often referred to as “farmers of the forest,” these birds are keystone species known for their role in dispersing seeds, especially of fig and canarium trees. Their activity directly influences forest regeneration and biodiversity stability.

The establishment of this conservation centre marks a focused shift towards the protection of hornbills, particularly in the Western Ghats, a recognized global biodiversity hotspot. This initiative is not just about saving a bird species—it’s about protecting entire forest ecosystems that depend on hornbills for survival and renewal.

Location: Why Anamalai Tiger Reserve?

The Anamalai Tiger Reserve was selected for this initiative because of its rich biodiversity and proven record in wildlife protection. The reserve already shelters a range of threatened species including tigers, elephants, and the endangered lion-tailed macaque. Its existing infrastructure supports long-term ecological monitoring, scientific research, and community-based conservation—making it an ideal hub for hornbill preservation efforts.

Funding and Institutional Support

The project is funded through the Endangered Species Conservation Corpus Fund, with an initial grant of ₹1 crore. This fund enables the centre to develop long-term strategies focused on:

• Research and ecological monitoring
• Habitat restoration
• Climate resilience studies
• Community engagement and education

Collaborations with national and international organizations—including the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Nature Conservation Foundation, Wildlife Institute of India, and the IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group—will further strengthen the centre’s impact.

Focus Species: Four Hornbills of the Western Ghats

The centre will concentrate on conserving four hornbill species native to the Western Ghats:

1. Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) – The largest hornbill species in India, known for its vibrant casque and deep forest habitat.
2. Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) – An endemic species crucial to lowland tropical forests.
3. Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus) – Found in fragmented landscapes, often near plantations.
4. Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) – More adaptable, yet still vulnerable to habitat degradation.

Each of these species plays a unique ecological role, and their conservation requires species-specific strategies tied to their habitat, behavior, and population dynamics.

Threats to Hornbill Populations

Despite their importance, hornbill populations across India are in decline due to:

• Deforestation and habitat fragmentation, which reduce food sources and nesting sites.
• Climate change, which disrupts flowering and fruiting patterns critical to hornbill feeding and breeding.
• Hunting and illegal trade, particularly for ornamental use of hornbill casques and feathers.

Fragmented forests can also isolate hornbill populations, increasing their risk of inbreeding and local extinction.

Research and Conservation Activities

The centre’s core operations include:

• Habitat mapping to identify and protect critical hornbill zones
• Nest monitoring programs to track reproductive success and survival
• Climate impact assessments to forecast future threats
• Restoration of degraded forest areas, focusing on planting native trees that serve as food sources

These science-backed interventions will provide actionable data to guide adaptive conservation strategies across the region.

Community Involvement and Capacity Building

A defining strength of this centre is its commitment to local community engagement. Programs will include:

• Nest adoption schemes, where villagers monitor and protect nesting sites
• Training for forest staff and local youth in conservation skills
• Scholarships for students in wildlife sciences
• Livelihood support through seed collection and nursery work

By involving communities directly, the centre aims to build long-term stewardship and reduce human-wildlife conflict.

Outreach, Awareness, and Future Expansion

Education and awareness campaigns are central to the project’s mission. School field visits, citizen science initiatives, and public exhibitions will help foster a culture of conservation.

Plans are also underway to replicate this model in other key biodiversity regions such as:

• Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
• Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
• Forested areas of Kanyakumari district

These expansions will form a network of hornbill conservation hubs across southern India.

Conclusion

The launch of the Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at Anamalai Tiger Reserve is a milestone for India’s environmental landscape. It represents a shift from reactive to proactive biodiversity protection—one that combines scientific precision with grassroots participation.

By safeguarding hornbills, Tamil Nadu is not only preserving iconic bird species, but also reinforcing the ecological foundations of the Western Ghats. This centre stands as a model for how conservation can be inclusive, evidence-based, and future-facing.