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Watch: Elephants, deer return to Tamil Nadu forests after massive restoration drive A heartening video from Tamil Nadu is giving conservationists a reason to celebrate. Shared by senior bureaucrat Supriya Sahu, the footage shows elephants, gaurs and deer returning to forest areas that were once overrun by invasive plant species, offering a glimpse of how large-scale ecological restoration can help wildlife reclaim its natural habitat. The video highlights the impact of an ambitious restoration effort undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. According to Sahu, more than 40,000 hectares of forest land have been restored so far, including nearly 31,000 hectares cleared of lantana, an invasive shrub that spreads aggressively and suppresses native vegetation. “Elephants, gaurs, deer and countless other species are returning to areas once overrun by invasive plants,” Sahu wrote while sharing the clip on social media. The footage captures animals moving through lush forest landscapes that have been revived after years of restoration work. For conservationists, the scenes are more than just visually striking — they are evidence that native ecosystems are beginning to recover. Sahu emphasised that the success of the project cannot be measured solely by the number of hectares restored. “The true measure of success is not the number of hectares cleared but the return of... https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/tamil-nadu-forest-restoration-viral-video-shows-elephants-deer-return-after-lantana-clearing-2933716-2026-06-25