The largest chunks of additional area are from Guthiyalathur (48,792 ha) and Talamalai reserve forests (31,987 ha) as per the notification issued last week under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The aims are to protect the varied wildlife and declare the area, tiger reserve.
A notification by the government says that these reserves will be declared as wildlife sanctuary due to their ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphologic, natural and zoological significance and for the purpose of protecting, propagating and developing wildlife and its environment.
The Sathyamangalam division is home many wild animals including elephants, tigers, hyenas and vultures in larger numbers than in any other protected area in the state.
