Eravikulam National Park in Munnar Shut for Tahr calving

The Eravikulam national park in Munnar has been  closed for visitors from 29th of January to the 1st of April as it is the calving season of the Nilgiri tahrs. The calving season of the Nilgiri tahrs usually lasts from January-end to the middle of June.  The Nilgiri tahrs is endemic to the south-western ghats and were enlisted as  endangered species by the International Union of Conser-vation of Nature and Natural Resources.

According to a  survey that was conducted in 2017,  there are  around 850 Nilgiri tahrs and 87 offspring  at the Eravikulam  park in Munnar. The largest population of Nilgiri tahrs is present mostly in the high-altitude grasslands. The Nilgiri tahrs in Eravikulam National park are a one of the most major attraction  of Munnar tourism and travellers are seen visiting this national park to get a glimpse of the Nilgiri Tahrs..

A total of 54,759  tourists visited the Eravikulam National park in January 2016 and around   64,396 tourists visited the park  in  December that same year.   52, 393 tourists visited the park in September 2017,  and 77,508 visite in December 2017. The tourist inflow to the National park might increase as Neelakurinji  is all set to bloom after a period of 12 years.
The Nilgiri Tahrs are one of the prime attractions of the tourism industry in Munnar and most of the travellers don't hesitate to visit the Eravikulam national park while they are on their trip to Munnar. The current restriction will really dissapoint the serious traveller who have planned to visit Munnar during the time when the park is shut down.

Pampadum Shola - The Home of the Evasive Nilgiri Marten

Pampadum Shola National Park in Munnar is located on the southern portion of Western Ghats and is a safe haven for the rare and most elusive Nilgiri Marten. Due to the presense of the Nilgiri Marten, the eco-tourism activities at Pampadum Shola National Park  require careful planning and regular review. The Nilgiri Marten almost looks like a civet or a mongoose and it most prefers areas with higher altitudes.

The earlier information about the Nilgiri Marten was that it was a solitary animal. But recente experiences have shown that that they can be spotted as pairs and triplets as well. The authorities have been able to gather information on the dietary habits of the carnivorous animal. There were almost 42 independent sightings in Pampadum Shola, and the researchers feel the area and its extended forest area stretches in Kerala and Tamil Nadu constitute the largest haven of the elusive mustelids. The number is very crucial as the global population of the Nilgiri Marten is estimated only below 1000.

Pampadum Shola comes under Munnar Wildlife Division, and enjoys proximity of Kurunjimala Wildlife Sanctuary and Palani hills of Tamil Nadu. The shola grass lands in this region have significant presence of Nilgiri Marten.

Recently the researchers have also recorded their sounds along with their hunting patterns. The Nilgiri Martens is often found to engage in allo-grooming and resting on fallen tree trunks. During the day time, the Nilgiri Martens remain restless and active. The Nilgiri Martens has become one of the prime attractions for those visiting Munnar and most of the travellers are seen busy trying to spot this rare species and take a snap or two.