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The Hindu
14 hours ago
- The Hindu
Houses for elephant men, other facilities nearing completion at Kozhikamuthi elephant camp
The construction of houses for mahouts and cavadis (assistants) working for the Forest Department at Kozhikamuthi elephant camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) is nearing completion. Works of other facilities for visitors and camp elephants are also in the final stages, according to officials with the Department. A total of 47 Malasar tribesmen from the Kozhikamuthi settlement, who work for the Department as mahouts and cavadis, will get the new houses that are built close to the elephant camp, on the side of the mud road to Varagaliar. An official from ATR said more than 90% of the works had been completed and the remaining works would be expedited. For the visitors, a new gallery area was being constructed at the elephant camp. Visitors would be able to watch feeding of camp elephants and their routine training in the morning from the gallery area. Modifications had also been made for the areas where camp elephants were lined up for feeding in the morning, said the officer. Supriya Sahu, Secretary of Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, has been monitoring the works through officials at ATR as the project was announced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in March 2023. The Chief Minister had announced houses for a total of 91 mahouts and cavadis of Kozhikamuthi and Theppakadu elephant camp, which is located in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, at a cost of ₹9.10 crore. Kozhikamuthi elephant camp is currently housing more than 20 elephants and a few of them are often shifted to the nearby Varagaliar camp on a rotation basis. Kozhikamuthi camp is situated in the core area of the tiger reserve, near Top Slip, in Ulandy forest range of ATR.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Second synchronised estimation of Nilgiri tahr to cover 36 new blocks
The second annual synchronised estimation of Nilgiri tahr in Tamil Nadu and Kerala that begins on Thursday, April 24, will cover 36 new blocks in addition to the 140 blocks surveyed last year. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is considering the second consecutive survey a significant exercise as it will generate vital data on the population trend of the State animal. The annual survey, which is one of the key components of the Project Nilgiri Tahr launched by Tamil Nadu in October 2023, will cover a total of 176 blocks in 14 forest divisions that are home to the mountain ungulate, in four days. According to Supriya Sahu, Secretary of Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, this year's survey has expanded coverage, and the 36 new blocks include Kodaikanal division. The survey spans 2,000 km of terrain, covering an estimated 233 sq. km reaching Ashambu Mottai in Kanniyakumari and Thavalamalai in the northernmost area in the Nilgiris. 'This massive effort not only strengthens the conservation blueprint for the Nilgiri Tahr but also sets a national benchmark for wildlife conservation with modern science,' she posted on 'X' on Wednesday, after taking part in an orientation session held for Department staff in Coimbatore. The first survey held last year generated the baseline data on the endangered species, with an estimated population of 1,031 individuals in Tamil Nadu and 827 in Eravikulam National Park in Kerala. As the census is being done in the post-calving season, enumerators will be able to spot adult Nilgiri tahrs with the young ones. The enumerators will follow the bounded count method in fragmented areas and the double observer method in large continuous landscapes. They will also collect faecal samples of carnivores to assess parasitic loads in tahrs.
