Tamil Nadu : Natural Resources

Forests :

Tamil Nadu has a wealth of flora and fauna and some of its major wildlife sanctuaries like Mudumalai and Anaimalai (Indira Gandhi W.S) are situated in the hills of the Western Ghats which is the habitat of elephants, tigers, bisons and a variety of monkey and deer.

Of the 3000 and more plant species found in Tamil Nadu, a majority are found in the mixed deciduous forests of this region. One of the most noteworthy flowers is the Kurinji of Kodaikkanal which blooms once in 12 years. Cinchona from which quinine - a drug for treating malaria - is extracted and eucalyptus grow abundantly in the Nilgiris.


Forests of medicinal herbs are found in Palani hills and Courtallam. Palmyrah trees grow by the thousands in Tirunelveli and its products are used as raw materials for several cottage industries. Rubber is the main plantation crop in Kanniyakumari and the more exotic sandalwood grows, though not in very large numbers, in the Javadhu hills of Vellore district.

The forest areas of Tiruvannamalai and Tirunelveli districts of the state are being regenerated and protected by the state forest Department. These forests not only provide large economy to the state but also the local livelihood.

Rivers :

Tamil Nadu is blessed with a number of rivers of which Cauveri is the most important. This perennial river of the state originates in Coorg in the neighboring Karnataka state. The fertile Coromandel plains are irrigated by the Kaveri and its delta in Thanjavur - Nagapattinam region is known as the granary of Tamil Nadu. The other rivers in the state are the Palar, Pennar, Vaigai and Tamiraparani.

Mineral Deposits :

The state is rich in mineral resources. The major mineral resources include Lignite, Vermiculite, Garnet, Zircon, Graphite, Ilmenite, Rutile, Monazite and Magnesite etc.