Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park: Home of the Endangered Nilgiri Tahr

Eravikulam National Park, nestled in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India, is famous for being the stronghold of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. This mountain ungulate, found nowhere else in the world, calls the park’s rolling grasslands and steep rocky cliffs its home. With the largest surviving population of Nilgiri Tahrs, Eravikulam National Park has become a beacon of hope for the conservation of this unique species.

The Star of the Show: Nilgiri Tahr

Eravikulamnational park where Nilgiri tahr can be seen

Imagine yourself trekking through the misty hills of Eravikulam, and suddenly, you spot a majestic creature with curved horns and a distinctive silver saddle on its back. Congratulations! You’ve just encountered the park’s celebrity resident, the Nilgiri Tahr.

These mountain goats are the talk of the town (or should we say, the talk of the hills?). They’re so popular that they’ve even bagged the title of state animal of Tamil Nadu. Talk about being a local hero!

A Tahr-rific Tragedy Averted

Back in the 1970s, these magnificent creatures were on the brink of extinction, with only about 1,000 individuals left. But thanks to the conservation efforts by the WWF India in the early 2008 to ensure the future generation is able to witness these beautiful creatures, and just few years ahead their numbers have bounced back to around 3,122 as of 2015. It’s like the comeback story of a rock star, but with more fur and less guitar solos.

Life in the Fast Lane (or Steep Cliff)

Eravikulam national park

Home Sweet Home

The Nilgiri Tahr is a bit of a homebody, preferring to stick to a 400 km stretch of the Western Ghats. They’re not fans of lowland living, instead opting for the high life at elevations between 1,200 to 2,600 meters. Talk about having high standards!

Family Matters

In the world of Nilgiri Tahrs, the males are called ‘saddle backs’. No, they don’t ride horses – they just have a cool silvery patch on their backs that looks like a saddle. These guys are the hunks of the herd, being bigger and darker than the females.

When it comes to romance, these tahrs like to keep it seasonal. Mating happens during the monsoon, because nothing says “I love you” like getting soaked together in the rain. About 180 days later, usually in January or February, a little tahr kid joins the family. It’s a one-kid-per-pregnancy deal, no twins here!

The Circle of Tahr Life

Nilgiri Tahrs grow up fast. They reach their rebellious teenage phase (aka sexual maturity) at around three years old. But here’s the kicker – their average life expectancy in the wild is only about three to three and a half years. Talk about a mid-life crisis! However, with proper care and a bit of luck, they can live up to nine years or more.

Eravikulam: A Tahr Paradise

Nilgiri Tahr climbing up the hill in Eravikulam national park
Credits: Blue Birds

Eravikulam National Park isn’t just a random spot these tahrs decided to crash. It’s tahr heaven! The park offers everything a discerning tahr could want:

  1. Lush montane grasslands? Check.
  2. Steep rocky cliffs for those daredevil climbing sessions? Double check.
  3. A cool, wet tropical environment? Triple check!

It’s like a five-star resort for tahrs, complete with an all-you-can-eat grass buffet and stunning views of the Western Ghats.

Conservation: The Tahr Wars

A New Hope

Remember how we mentioned the tahrs were almost goners in the 1970s? Well, that’s when the conservationists struck back. They launched a full-scale rescue mission, turning Eravikulam into a tahr fortress. The Eravikulam National Park covers a large area with plethora of Flora and Fauna allowing these majestic creatures to thrive in their so called home.

To ensure more saftey of these wonderful endangered species, the Kerala Forest Department has taken a step with a discussion on its way to establish a windmill which help further help them to create an anti-poaching camp within the Nilgiri tahr habitat.

The Empire Strikes Back

But the battle isn’t over yet. The tahrs still face threats from habitat loss and occasional poaching. It’s like they’re constantly dealing with evil real estate developers and shady hunters. But fear not! Our tahrs have some powerful allies.

Return of the Tahr

Thanks to the efforts of organizations like WWF India and the dedication of the Kerala and Tamil Nadu Forest Departments, the tahr population is slowly but surely making a comeback. These conservationists are the Jedi Knights of the Western Ghats, protecting the tahrs and their home.

Conclusion: The Tahr-minator

The Nilgiri Tahr might not be back from the future, but it’s certainly back from the brink of extinction. Eravikulam National Park has played a crucial role in this conservation success story, providing a safe haven for these unique creatures.

So, the next time you visit Eravikulam, keep your eyes peeled for these gravity-defying, cliff-climbing superstars. Who knows? You might just witness a tahr-rific spectacle that you’ll never forget!

Can I see Nilgiri Tahrs in zoos?

Nope, these are exclusive mountain dwellers. You’ve got to visit their natural habitat in places like Eravikulam National Park to spot them.

Are Nilgiri Tahrs dangerous?

Not unless you’re a blade of grass! They’re generally shy and will avoid human contact.

Can I pet a Nilgiri Tahr?

As tempting as it might be, it’s best to admire these wild animals from a distance. Remember, they’re endangered, not domesticated.

What’s the best time to visit Eravikulam National Park?

he park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is from September to November and from January to March when the weather is pleasant.

Are there other animals in Eravikulam National Park?

es! While the Nilgiri Tahr is the star, you might also spot elephants, leopards, and various bird species. It’s like a wildlife party up there!

Author

  • Chandan Senapati

    I have 10 years of experience in the field of Travel and Lifestyle Industry. I have written more than 450 articles for various reputed platforms such as Huffington Post, MensXP, and Daily Mail. Having an immense passion for writing and a deep interest in the Travel and lifestyle industry.

    View all posts

56 Comments

  1. Hi there, You’ve done a great job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this site.

  2. affordablecanvaspaintings.com.au is Australia Popular Online 100 percent Handmade Art Store. We deliver Budget Handmade Canvas Paintings, Abstract Art, Oil Paintings, Artwork Sale, Acrylic Wall Art Paintings, Custom Art, Oil Portraits, Pet Paintings, Building Paintings etc. 1000+ Designs To Choose From, Highly Experienced Artists team, Up-to 50 percent OFF SALE and FREE Delivery Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and all regional areas. We ship worldwide international locations. Order Online Your Handmade Art Today.

  3. Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is actually irritating. A good site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this website, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Cant find it.

  4. Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Cheers

  5. One thing I want to comment on is that fat burning plan fast can be performed by the proper diet and exercise. Someone’s size not merely affects appearance, but also the quality of life. Self-esteem, major depression, health risks, and physical skills are affected in extra weight. It is possible to just make everything right and still gain. Should this happen, a condition may be the root cause. While excessive food and not enough work out are usually guilty, common health conditions and widespread prescriptions could greatly add to size. Thanks a bunch for your post in this article.

  6. Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  7. I have noticed that in unwanted cameras, specialized receptors help to {focus|concentrate|maintain focus|target|a**** automatically. The actual sensors regarding some cams change in contrast, while others make use of a beam associated with infra-red (IR) light, particularly in low lumination. Higher specification cameras from time to time use a combination of both techniques and probably have Face Priority AF where the digital camera can ‘See’ any face while focusing only on that. Thank you for sharing your thinking on this blog site.

  8. Thanks for the posting. My partner and i have continually seen that many people are desirous to lose weight simply because they wish to show up slim plus attractive. Nevertheless, they do not generally realize that there are other benefits so that you can losing weight in addition. Doctors claim that obese people experience a variety of conditions that can be instantly attributed to their particular excess weight. The great news is that people who’re overweight and also suffering from diverse diseases are able to reduce the severity of their particular illnesses through losing weight. You’ll be able to see a progressive but noticeable improvement in health if even a moderate amount of weight loss is realized.

  9. Hello, you used to write wonderful, but the last several posts have been kinda boring? I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

  10. Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thanks However I am experiencing difficulty with ur rss . Don?t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting identical rss problem? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx

  11. Thanks for your write-up. Another point is that just being a photographer includes not only problem in catching award-winning photographs but additionally hardships in establishing the best digital camera suited to your needs and most especially problems in maintaining the standard of your camera. This really is very correct and apparent for those photography fans that are in to capturing the particular nature’s eye-catching scenes – the mountains, the forests, the wild or even the seas. Going to these daring places surely requires a dslr camera that can live up to the wild’s unpleasant settings.

  12. Thanks for these tips. One thing I also believe is always that credit cards providing a 0 interest often lure consumers in with zero monthly interest, instant endorsement and easy on the web balance transfers, nonetheless beware of the number one factor that will void the 0 easy street annual percentage rate and also throw one out into the bad house rapidly.

  13. I am really enjoying the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A handful of my blog readers have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this problem?

  14. Nice post. I study one thing tougher on completely different blogs everyday. It would at all times be stimulating to read content from different writers and practice just a little one thing from their store. I?d prefer to make use of some with the content material on my blog whether or not you don?t mind. Natually I?ll give you a hyperlink in your net blog. Thanks for sharing.

  15. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your weblog posts. After all I?ll be subscribing on your feed and I am hoping you write again very soon!

  16. Thanks for these guidelines. One thing I additionally believe is that credit cards featuring a 0 rate often bait consumers in with zero rate, instant endorsement and easy on-line balance transfers, nonetheless beware of the top factor that will probably void your current 0 easy neighborhood annual percentage rate as well as throw you out into the poor house quickly.

  17. Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I want to put in writing like this additionally ? taking time and precise effort to make a very good article? however what can I say? I procrastinate alot and certainly not appear to get something done.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *