Dryland ecosystems are components of semiarid biomes. These low-biomass ecosystems characterize landscapes or entire regions that receive 200–750 mm of rainfall in a year. Dryland ecosystems in tropical regions are more often secondary and result from human-induced desertification. Tamil Nadu is tropical with an average annual rainfall of less than 1000 mm. Half of its 38 districts receive annual rainfall less than the state’s average, five of which receive less than 750 mm. The state is rich in biodiversity and has 40 wildlife-protected areas, including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and bird sanctuaries. Forty-five percent of the protected areas, including 3 of the state’s 5 tiger reserves and 6 of 20 Ramsar sites, are located in the 19 drier districts. Large parts of the state fall in the semiarid agroecological zone. Due to its long agrarian history, different dryland farming systems have traditionally depended on the well-established network of wetlands. The palmyra palm is a keystone species in dryland agroecosystems. More than 50% of India’s 102 million palmyra palms are in the state. Against this backdrop, the chapter discusses some of the challenges faced by the state in the restoration of its dryland ecosystems.