Nilgiri Tahr & Eravikulam National Park | UPSC

Nilgiri Tahr, that finds its natural habitat in the Eravikulam National Park, will be closed for the calving season of the species.

About Eravikulam National Park:

• Eravikulam National Park is located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki and Ernakulam districts of Kerala.
• Established in 1978, it holds the distinction of being the first national park in Kerala.

Geography and Topography:

• The park features a high rolling hill plateau with a base elevation of approximately 2,000 meters.
• Anamudi, the highest peak in South India at 2,695 meters, is situated within the park.
• The terrain comprises high-altitude grasslands interspersed with sholas (tropical montane forests).
• Numerous perennial streams cross the park, converging into tributaries of the Periyar River in the west and the Cauvery River in the east.

Fauna:

• The park boasts twenty-six recorded mammal species, including the largest population of Nilgiri tahr.
• Other mammals include lion-tailed macaques, gaur, Indian muntjac, sambar deer, golden jackal, jungle cat, wild dog, dhole, leopard, and tiger.
• Eravikulam is home to 132 bird species, featuring endemics such as the black-and-orange flycatcher, Nilgiri pipit, Nilgiri wood pigeon, white-bellied shortwing, Nilgiri flycatcher, and Kerala laughingthrush.
• The park hosts 101 butterfly species, including endemics like the red disk bushbrown and Palni fourring.

Flora:

• Eravikulam National Park encompasses three primary plant communities: grasslands, shrublands, and forests.

About Nilgiri tahr:

• The Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is an endangered mountain ungulate native to the Western Ghats mountains in southern India.
• It is the only mountain ungulate in southern India and is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu.

Physical Appearance:

• Stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane.
• They have a short grey-brown or dark coat.
• Males are larger, with darker color when mature.
• Curved horns in both sexes; larger in males (up to 40 cm) than females (up to 30 cm).
• Adult males develop a light grey area or ‘saddle’ on their backs, termed ‘saddlebacks’.

 Habitat:

• Nilgiri tahrs are adapted to montane grassland habitats and are typically found at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 2,600 meters (6,600 to 8,500 feet) in the Western Ghats.
• Eravikulam National Park houses the largest population, with other concentrations in the Nilgiri Hills, Anamalai Hills, Periyar National Park, Palani Hills, and pockets in the Western Ghats

Geographical Range:

• The species is endemic to the Western Ghats of India and is specifically distributed in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Diet:

• Their diet mainly consists of grasses and other vegetation found in their montane habitats.
• They are well-adapted to grazing on steep slopes.

Breeding:

• Breeding typically occurs during the monsoon season, and females give birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of around six months.

Threats:

• Habitat loss due to agriculture, human settlement, and infrastructure development poses a significant threat to Nilgiri tahrs.
• Fragmentation of their habitat also isolates populations, making them more vulnerable.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

Ref: Source

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