Nilgiris Tahr Interpretation Centre to come up at Gandhipuram

In a five-cent land at the Coimbatore Central Prison compound right next to the Semmozhi Poonga, a Nilgiris Tahr Interpretation Centre is to come up.

Last year, for the first time, an enumeration of the Nilgiris Tahr population was taken up in 13 routes spread over 140 places. Tamil Nadu accounted for a population of 1,031 Nilgiris Tahr.

For the second time, in the enumeration conducted this year, 14 habitations of the Nilgiris Tahr were taken up, and in 175 places, as many as 1,303 Nilgiris Tahr were spotted, thus accounting for an increase of 272 Nilgiris Tahr.

In Anamalai Grass Hills, the highest of 334 Nilgiris Tahr were spotted, and in Kerala, 1,352 Nilgiris Tahr were spotted. Thus, Tamil Nadu and Kerala put together accounted for 2,655 Nilgiri Tahr. In Coimbatore Forest Division, Madukkarai and Booluvampatti forest ranges accounted for sizeable population.

In these two ranges, Nilgiris Tahr population is said to be in Chinnattu Malai and Periyattumalai, and in the Booluvampatti forest range, the population exists in Kunjiranmudi, Kurudi Malai, and Velliangiri hills, and in the just concluded census maximum of nine Nilgiris Tahr population was present.

The presence of exotic species needs to be addressed for the proliferation of the Nilgiris Tahr population, and grassland sholas need to be created. Six places have been identified for this purpose.

The proposed Interpretation Centre on Nilgiris Tahr to come up in five centres of land in Gandhipuram would disseminate information on the lifestyle of the Nilgiris Tahr and the measures initiated to conserve its population.