R J Ranjit DanielsCare Earth Trust
Tamil Nadu
Southernmost Indian State130,058 sq km11th largest by area6th most populous 550 people/sq km1076km coastline30 districtsAround 900 mm rainfall
Diversity in known groups5640 species flowering plants
160 species freshwater fishNearly 80 species amphibians187 species reptiles534 species birds134 species mammals
More than 1000 species of freshwater and terrestrial vertebrates
Some of India’s oldest hillsWestern Ghats Eastern Ghats
High levels of endemism
Different ecosystems
Climate range: hot‐dry to wet‐cold
Himalayan elements in biodiversity
Gondwanaland elements
Peninsular endemics
Gulf of Mannar – 3600 species
Rich coastal biodiversity
Nurtured by a rich human tradition
Naturalized biodiversity