The Tamil Nadu government has notified 100 new forest blocks as Reserved Forests across 10 districts between 2021 and 2025, expanding the protected area by approximately 135 sq km. This initiative aims to strengthen ecological protection, enhance biodiversity, secure wildlife corridors, and improve climate resilience. The notifications, made under the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, follow a rigorous settlement process. While the state's forest and tree cover now stands at 24.47%, it remains below the national policy objective of 33%.