"Flora and Fauna of Tamil Nadu A survey conducted in 1984 shows that the total forest area in Tamil Nadu was 2.2 million ha (17 % of total area). The value of forests resources as nature’s means of soil and water conservation, wild life preservation and sustaining the ecological balance is well recognized. They make the climates mild. They also provide employment. It is also recognized that the forests have important productive and protective functions. The forests continue to give us forest products both for industrial and domestic purposes and, therefore, are considered renewable resource. 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, bison's and a variety of monkeys and deer. Of the 3000 and more plant species found in Tamil Nadu, a majority is 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. Medicinal herbs are found in Palani hills and Coutrallam. Palmyra trees grow in abundance 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 forest grows, though not very dense, in the Javadhu hills of Vellore district. The important forest trees and their species are Eucalyptus, Palmyra, Rubber, Cinchona, Clumping Bamboos, Common teak, Anogeissus latifolia, Indian Laurel, Grewia, and blooming trees like Indian labumusum, Aredesia, and Solanancea. Rare and unique plant life includes Madvel, Ebony, Orchid, Alsophila, Impatiens elegant, Ranunculus reniformis,and Royal fern. Tamil Nadu ranks first in angiosperm diversity amongst all the states in the country. It is the home of 5640 species (32%)of the total of 17,672 species which also includes 230 red-listed species and 1559 species of medicinal plants. 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 contribute to the large economy of the state but also are the source of livelihood of local people. The differences in precipitation and landscapes determine the types of forests. The forests of Tamil Nadu may be classified as those of (1)the Subtropical hill forests; (2) Temperate hill forests; (3)Tropical dry evergreen forests; (4)Thorny shrub forests; and (5) Mangrove forests. Subtropical Hill Forests are wet hill forests found at a height of 1000 - 1500 meters MSL and stretches to the Nilgiris and Palani hills. Below them are the stunted rainforests. Temperate Hill Forests are found at heights above 1500 meters on the Nilgiris, Anaimalai and Palani hills and are less dense. These forests abound in epiphytes, mosses and ferns. Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests are found mostly on the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. There are also short but dense bushes and grasslands.Thorny Shrub Forests are found in the areas culminating in long and dry periods and low rainfall. Mangrove Forests are found in the Vedaranyam and Pichavaram regions of the east coast. Sundari trees are found in these forests. The distribution of forests among different districts of the state is very uneven. Concentration of forests is found mostly in the hills of the western districts and in the Javadhu groups of hills in Vellore district and there are also dense forests in Salem district. The Nilgiris have most of its area under forests.Fauna There are about 2000 species of wildlife that are native to Tamil Nadu. Protected areas provide safe habitat for large mammals and reptiles including elephants, tigers, leopard, sloth bears, gaurs, lion-tailed macaques, nilgiri langurs, nilgiri tahrs, grizzled giant squirrels and sambar deer, resident and migratory birds such as cormorants, darters, herons, egrets, open-billed storks, spoonbills and white ibises, little grebes, indian moorhen, black-winged stilts, a few migratory ducks and occasionally grey pelicans, marine species such as the dugongs, turtles, dolphins and balano-glossus and a wide variety of fish and insects. The hills of both the Western Ghats as well as the Eastern Ghats abound in wild life. Black bear, several different varieties of deer (founds in the forests of Chennai), wild hog, leopard, fox, jackal, tiger, elephant, hare and python as well as other varieties of snakes are all found in the forests of Tamil Nadu. Crocodiles live in rivers as well. There are also several different kinds of birds found in the state. Peacock and peahen, lark (kuil), crow, mynah, parrots, cranes, stork and eagle are found everywhere. Birds of several species come to Vedanthangal Sanctuary from far off places for hibernation. The sanctuaries - elephant sanctuaries of Anaimalai, tiger sanctuary at Mundanthurai, and bird sanctuaries at Vedanthangal and Kodikarai - attract tourists from all over the world."