Nilgiri tahrs recover lost habitats in Tamil Nadu: Survey
Nilgiri tahr
UDHAGAMANDALAM:
Nilgiri tahrs
have been sighted in Periyattumalai in Coimbatore division after a decade, according to the second synchronized survey of Nilgiri tahrs in Tamil Nadu which concluded on Sunday. Also, new colonization was confirmed in the Pasumalai block in Chinnamanur range in the Megamalai division, an indication of
habitat recovery
.
Under the
Project Nilgiri Tahr
(launched in 2023), the four-day synchronized survey of Nilgiri tahr -- the state animal -- was conducted in 176 survey blocks of 14 forest divisions across the state. Herds were sighted with kids, according to a press release.
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The survey included the collection of tahr pellets for parasitic and carnivore's scat for understanding the parasitic species presence and its life cycle in association with Nilgiri tahr.
Seven tahrs were sighted in the lowest elevation (240 m MSL) survey block in Peyanar Varaiyattu Mottai. This is one of the finest cliff and escarpment terrain blocks where tahr is using a dry thorny landscape.
'In the Mangaladevi survey block in Megamalai division, where the species was believed to have moved out, pellets of tahrs were recorded. Thus, the presence of the species is ascertained with evidence,' said M G Ganesan, project director, Project Nilgiri Tahr, who led the survey.
The collected pellets and carnivore scat samples in ethanol vials are to be sent for laboratory analysis, especially parasitic analysis in the Wildlife Division at TANUVAS (Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University).
Good population was sighted at Grass Hills National Park in Valparai and Mukurthi National Park in the Nilgiris. These two meta populations are vital for maintaining these fragile grasslands, said Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, department of environment, climate change and forest.
She said, 'Pavetta oblanceolate, a critically endangered flora species, was recorded in Anamalai during the survey.'
Ganesan said, 'After digitization, processing and interpretation of data will be done with research personnel and experts'.
Experts from TANUVAS, project scientists and a team from WWF participated in the survey with 800 field staffers covering a 2,000km distance.
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