Making a suomotu statement under Rule 110 in the Assembly, she said Tamil Nadu was one of the most urbanised and industrialised State in the country and that the smoke emanating from vehicles and factories had been a key factor for air pollution.

As such, monitoring the quality of the air and taking appropriate steps to set it right became necessary. By setting up these Continuous Air Quality Monitoring Systems across the State, complete details about the quality of air could be gathered.

The Chief Minister also announced that five Rapid Action Teams would be formed to tackle man-animal conflicts and a sum of `8.64 crore would be allocated for the purpose this year.

Stating that the National Tiger Conservation Authority had accepted the proposal to constitute these teams, she said that during the current financial year, these teams would be formed in Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, Ooty, Gudalur and Tirunelveli.

Special training would be given to these personnel to handle tough situations arising out of man-animal conflicts, when animals like big cats, elephants, gaurs, wild boars and bears stray into farmlands.

The Chief Minister also announced that a sum of Rs 10 crore would be allocated for growing sandalwood trees in reserve forest areas and patta lands in the five districts of Vellore, Salem, Erode, Dharmapuri and Tiruchy.

This scheme would provide employment opportunities to tribals and would yield revenue to the State government by tapping the sandalwood resource.

Besides, in due course, this scheme would prevent migration of tribal community to other States in search of employment.

This would be implemented for a period of 10 years at a total cost of Rs 100 crore.