The Wildlife Protection Act, enacted in 1972, safeguarded Nilgiri tahr, the State animal of Tamil Nadu, from extinction. Yet, there remains a serious threat to the habitat, which prevents the population of mountain goats from increasing, wildlife enthusiasts say.
“The habitats of Nilgiri tahr are under tremendous pressure owing to eucalyptus cultivation and temple tourism. Almost all important habitats of the animal have temples, and hence tourists throng them. Strong guidelines are required to safeguard the habitats,” says N. Mohanraj, a policy adviser of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
WWF study
The WWF studied the status of tahr in the Western Ghats in 2011 and identified 17 new habitats. However, the study revealed that poaching, habitat destruction, disease transmission and competition for food from cattle and goats posed a threat to the tahr.
The species, endemic to the Western Ghats, is spread from the Nilgiris to Kanyakumari. According to Mr. Mohanraj, the population will be around 3,000, distributed evenly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The tahr became an endangered species mainly because of unregulated hunting before the Wildlife Protection Act came into force, says P. Sornappan, Wildlife Warden of the Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary (MWS).
It is now listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act.
“A recent study indicates the presence of more than 100 tahrs in the MWS. The number would actually be more, and we are planning a comprehensive census in November and December,” he says.
Tiger population “Protecting the mountain goats will escalate the tiger population. There are several unexplored habitats of Nilgiri tahr in the Western Ghats,” Mr. Sornappan notes.
T.S. Subramania Raja, secretary of the Wildlife Association of Rajapalayam (WAR), which conducted a census of Nilgiri tahr in 2011, says the population should be counted at least once in three years. “Protecting their habitat, the grasslands and shola means safeguarding the water sources,” he adds.
C.P. Rajkumar of the Vaigai Association for Nature and Mountain Ranges (VANAM), in Theni, points out that several habitats of the tahr are being destroyed because of forest fire and poaching. “The meat of Nilgiri tahr is highly priced. There is no protection for the animals in several habitats,” he concludes.
