India’s 1st slender loris conservation centre opens in Dindigul

Dindigul: In a major push towards preserving biodiversity, Tamil Nadu govt unveiled India's first state-of-the-art Slender Loris (Devangu) Conservation Centre at Ayyalur in Dindigul district on Saturday.Minister R S Raja Kannappan inaugurated the ₹16.05 crore facility which marks a significant milestone in the protection of the endangered insectivorous primate which spends its life on trees.The facility aims to enhance scientific understanding of slender loris ecology, promote responsible eco-tourism, create local employment and reduce community dependence on forest resources through sustainable alternatives. It has a dedicated communication centre and visitor centre interactive learning, a children's play area, adventure zone, and a curated trek path.The minister also launched an official website (www.slenderloriscentre.com) and a dedicated mobile app to provide real-time information on conservation efforts and visitor facilities.The project followed the chief minister's historic announcement under Rule 110 in the state assembly, which led to the notification of 11,806.56 hectares across Dindigul and Karur districts as "Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary."Experts said the centre would serve as a ‘living laboratory' to study the behaviour of the elusive, nocturnal primate, which is often threatened by habitat loss and superstition. Following the virtual launch, additional chief secretary (environment, climate change, and forests) Supriya Sahu and Dindigul district collector S Saravanan led the lamp-lighting ceremony at the centre.The inauguration was attended by a gathering of environmentalists and officials, including principal chief conservator of forests Srinivas R Reddy and wildlife experts Dr Mewa Singh, University of Mysore, and Dr Sindhu Radhakrishna, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS).The govt urged the public to support the initiative, emphasising that the centre is now fully ready to welcome students and tourists, fostering a new generation of eco-warriors.