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Tracking the Nilgiri Tahrs in the wild

BORN FREE: Nilgiri Tahr kids that were born at Eravikulam national park.

For one week from April 22, wildlife enthusiasts and officials of the Forest Department will keep track of the mountain ungulate Nilgiri Tahr.

During the annual exercise of the Tahr census, every square inch of the Eravikulam National Park spread over 97 sq. km will be closely monitored by Tahr enthusiasts, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and officials of the Forest Department.

Preparations have been completed for the Tahr census. Those interested in tracking the animal as part of the census can obtain the details of the programme from the office of the wildlife warden of the park at Eravikulam. The details of the programme can also be obtained on telephone (04865 231587).

The Tahr census involves counting of the animal with the participation of the public, said Roy P. Thomas, Wildlife Warden of the Park.

The representation of the department in the census process will be limited to the presence of an officer in each of the team formed for the purpose. The wildlife enthusiasts will do rest of the work, he said.

The park will be divided into 13 blocks for the census. Teams comprising students, representatives of NGOs and Forest Department officials will be formed. Each team will have a Muthuvan tribe member who knows the terrain better to take the team along the area allotted to them, Mr. Thomas said.

After the initial briefing on April 22, the teams will move to the camps allotted to them inside the park in the afternoon and start their work. Each day's work will begin at 7 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.

During the census, the teams will record the sightings of the animals and details such as the presence of male, female and kids.

On 28th evening, the teams will return from the camps. Last year's census had put the number of the animal at 704.

K.S. Sudhi

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