Eravikulam shut for Tahr calving

KOTTAYAM: The Eravikulam national park has been  closed for visitors from January 29 to April 1 owing to the calving season of the Nilgiri tahrs that lasts from January-end to the middle of June.  The tahrs, endemic to the south-western ghats,  were enlisted as  endangered species by the International Union of Conser-vation of Nature and Natural Resources. 

According to a  survey conducted in 2017,  there are  around 850 tahrs and 87 offspring  at the Eravikulam  park, where the largest population of tahrs  is  present, mostly in the high-altitude grasslands. The tahrs are a major attraction  of Munnar tourism.  

A total of 54, 759  tourists visited the    park in January 2016,  64, 396  in  December that year,   52, 393 in September 2017,  77,508 in December  and  66, 249 from January 1 to 29 this year, as per the district tourism promotion council,  Idukki. The tourist inflow to the park may increase as Neelakurinjy  is set to bloom after a period of 12 years. Mr S. Sandeep, assistant wildlife warden in charge of the Eravikulam park,  told DC that at least 110 officials were deputed for the safety of the tahrs.