Tamil Nadu forms new wildlife board headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay

The Tamil Nadu government has formed a new State Board for Wildlife with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as its chairperson. The Minister for Forests will serve as the vice-chairperson.

Details

The Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department issued an order on October 28, 2026, to set up the board under Section 6(1) of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The previous board was set up in April 2022. This fresh step was taken after the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden requested it because the term of the board's non-official members had ended.

Members

The board will advise the state government on picking and running protected areas, wildlife conservation policies, changes to wildlife schedules, and ways to balance the needs of tribal and forest-dwelling communities with wildlife protection. Non-official members will serve a term of two years. Three MLAs have been named to the board: M. Sudhakar from Katpadi, S. Karthikeyan from Madurai East, and M.R. Pallavi from Thiru.Vi.Ka. Nagar.

Experts

The panel also includes wildlife experts, scientists, and group representatives. These members are Jose Louies of the Wildlife Trust of India, T.R. Shankar Raman of the Nature Conservation Foundation, Balaji Vedharajan of the OMCAR Foundation, Anita Arjundas of ATREE, V. Arun of the Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network, and Kishor Rithe of the Bombay Natural History Society. Other members include representatives from the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation, the Wildlife Institute of India, the Botanical Survey of India, and the Zoological Survey of India. The Chief Secretary is a special invitee, while the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden acts as the member-secretary.

Context

State wildlife boards operate under India's central wildlife laws to guide local conservation efforts and policy decisions. Bringing together government officials, lawmakers, and independent experts helps state leaders review environmental plans with broad input.