Latest news with #K.V.Harikrishnan
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Survey finds 1,365 Nilgiri tahrs in Kerala
The joint Nilgiri tahr census in Kerala and Tamil Nadu reported a population of 2,668 Nilgiri tahrs. According to Forest department officials, 1,365 tahr belong to Kerala and 1,303 to Tamil Nadu. The Eravikulam National Park (ENP) is home to the largest contiguous population of Nilgiri tahr in Kerala, numbering 841 individuals. Officials said that in 2024, the number of tahrs in the ENP was 827. Ninety percent of the tahr population in the State is found in the Munnar landscape alone. A major presence of tahrs in Tamil Nadu is reported in Mukurthi National Park and Grass Hills National Park, lying across the Kerala State border. The growing tahr population points out the need for interstate cooperation and coordinated management of Nilgiri tahr protected areas. Grassland availability The controlled burning practice in Eravikulam National Park (ENP) was behind the success of the increasing number of tahrs. According to officials, of the total 1,365 Nilgiri tahrs in the State 1,126 were found in the Munnar landscape. Of this, the ENP is home to 841 tahrs. Munnar Wildlife Warden K.V. Harikrishnan said the nutritious grasslands of the region are behind the success of the tahr population in the park. 'In the nexy three years, controlled burning will be conducted in 97 sq km area of the park. 'The grasslands of ENP become unsuitable for grazing every three years after completing the growth of the natural grass. Nilgiri tahr and other animals will not feed on such grass. Then, controlled burning was introduced in the grasslands of the park on a rotational basis. The practice is conducted after removing all animals from the grasslands,' said Mr. Harikrishnan. 'This year alone, 144 new tahr births were reported in the park. Newborn Nilgiri tahr calves are eating the newly grown grass from the grasslands. Besides ensuring food security for the Nilgiri tahrs, controlled burning also helps increase the productivity of these animals. Nilgiri tahrs are a major prey for tigers and leopards inside the ENP, which in turn helps maintain the population at a controlled level,' said the warden. The warden stated that the easy availability of prey inside the park has helped lessen the straying of tigers and leopards outside of the park and into human habitat. The Forest department first took up the controlled burning practice in Eravikulam around 30 years ago, based on the know-how of the Muthuvan tribal communities, said officials. Standardised survey techniques The joint population estimation of Nilgiri tahrs was conducted continuously for four days in 89 census blocks in Kerala and 182 census blocks in Tamil Nadu. In Kerala, the census was conducted in 19 forest divisions, from Thiruvananthapuram to Wayanad, and all reported the presence of Nilgiri tahr. 'The use of standardised techniques such as the 'Bounded Count and 'Double Observer' methods contributed to improved data reliability of the tahr survey,' said an official. According to officials, historically, Nilgiri tahr occupied a wider range across the Western Ghats, much of which has been lost to plantations, infrastructure development, and land-use change. The Population Estimation 2025 aimed to explore historically known areas and gather information on fragmented tahr populations, as well as the potential for re-establishing habitat connectivity to restore these populations. The survey also discovered the biodiversity richness of tahr habitats, which host apex predators such as the tiger, leopard, and dhole, as well as endemics like the Nilgiri langur and lion-tailed macaque. Minister for Forests and Wildlife Protection A.K. Saseendran released the census report on Tuesday at Thiruvananthapuram during the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ENP in Munnar.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Turmeric farming a new way to thwart wild animal threat in Munnar
The once abandoned cropland in the tribal settlements of Munnar will soon adorn a green carpet with the arrival of a new farming practice. According to officials, the tribal population under the wildlife division have introduced turmeric farming in the abandoned lands in various settlements with the financial support of the Forest department. Commenting on the initiative, Munnar Wildlife Warden K.V. Harikrishnan said that last year, two acres of turmeric farming was conducted under the Munnar forest division, and it reaped rich dividends. 'This year, turmeric farming will be conducted on a total of 55.56 acres of land in the tribal settlements of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi National Park. The lands were abandoned over the years due to wild animal attacks. 'The trial farming conducted here had found that turmeric farming is very practical in these lands,' said Mr. Harikrishnan. 'The Anamudi Forest Development Agency will provide financial assistance to the farmers for turmeric farming. One high-yield variety named 'Pragathi' and another local variety of seeds will be in use. The harvested turmeric will be sold through 'Chilla', the Forest department's weekly tribal market at Marayur as well as the department-owned eco-shop,' said the official. According to officials, all types of wild animals, including wild elephants and wild boars, stay away from the turmeric farms. 'During the trial farming, the department and tribal farmers monitored the wild animal entry into turmeric farmlands and confirmed this, despite the easy access for the wild animals that reach the forest fringe. The assured market and income are another attraction for turmeric farming,' said Mr. Harikrishnan. Threat wanes Over the months, officials noted that the crop-raiding threat had waned in the vicinity. 'Turmeric farming is a new hope for farmers, giving an average yield of five tonnes per acre of land,' said an official. According to officials, turmeric farming has been introduced at Eechamppetty, Iruttalakudy, Thayannankudy, Alampetty, Puthukkudy, Vellakkalkudy, Mulangamutty, Kulachivayal, Swamiyaralakudy, Valsapettykudy, Koodallarkudy and Lakkam Kudy under the Munnar forest division. In 2017, the Forest department launched a project named 'Punarjeevanam' by former Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) assistant wildlife warden P.M. Prabhu, aimed at reviving traditional millet cultivation among tribal communities and achieved a big success.
