Page 32 - 19BAR0036

4.3.4. Summary

Thesis Report V-SPARC VIT

4.4. Flora and Fauna

Azhagar Hills houses a thick forest cover that has extended from Azhagar Kovil in
the south to Natham in the north. The Tamil nadu state forest department has been

maintaining a herbal garden on the hills. The entrance to the garden is restricted to

siddha research scholars. The garden is irrigated thru a natural spring locally known
as the devi theertham. There are nearly 167 plant species in that 111 plants are

categorized under medicinal value.

A total of 108 species 77 resident birds, and 22 migrants were recorded, including
Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps. The hills hold significant populations of

Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus, Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis

rubeculoides, Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui, and Black-naped Oriole

Oriolus chinensis during winter. White-rumped Vulture, and Redheaded Vulture
were witnessed during 1990’s in these hills.

A rich animal life including threatened animals such as the Monkey s, slender loris,

gaur, sambar deer, sloth bear, Asian palm civet, Indian hare, jungle cat and Indian
pangolin are to be seen in this region. Lizards such as the Bengal monitor, Indian

chameleon, flying lizard, common green forest lizard, Lacerta and Cnemaspis geckoes

are to be seen here. Then Snakes & small repetiles etc also seen here.

32