The department was created in 1995 and is responsible for environmental management and forests in the state.

[5] The department is also responsible for the management of wildlife protection areas.

[2] Important ecological regions of Tamil Nadu are the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Nilgiri Hills, the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in the Agastya Mala-Cardamom Hills and Gulf of Mannar coral reefs.

[11] The department also manages the Government Rubber Corporation, Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation Limited (TAFCORN), Tamil Nadu Tea Plantation Corporation (TANTEA) and Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation And Greening Society (TNBCGS).

[12] The department formulates policies to mitigate the impact of pollution in water bodies, control of air and noise pollution, climate change adaptation and coastal regulation.