3 weeks ago
Nilgiri Tahr Thriving Again at Varayattumudy in Kerala
There is a special kind of mountain goat called the Nilgiri tahr that lives only in a particular part of India.
For many years, fewer and fewer of these goats were seen because their homes were being damaged.
People were cutting down forests and building things where the goats used to live.
But now there is good news!
In a place called Varayattumudy in Kerala, many more of these goats are being found.
A newspaper called The Hindu wrote a report about this happy change.
An expert named Indrajit Ghorpade says this shows something important.
If you take care of where animals live, they can come back.
The Nilgiri tahr is very special because it lives nowhere else in the world.
It has learned to live in a very particular kind of mountain place.
This success story gives people hope that we can help other animals too.
A report by The Hindu highlights Varayattumudy in Kerala's Idukki district as an emerging stronghold for the endangered Nilgiri tahr.
The Nilgiri tahr has seen decades of population decline across the Western Ghats due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
The encouraging numbers at Varayattumudy demonstrate what is possible when ecosystems are protected and allowed to recover.
Environmentalist and wildlife photographer Indrajit Ghorpade said the development reinforces conservation's fundamental principle: protect the habitat and the species will recover.
The Nilgiri tahr is endemic to the Nilgiri Biosphere and has evolved to survive in a very specialised ecosystem.
- Who
- The endangered Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat endemic to the Nilgiri Biosphere, along with environmentalist and wildlife photographer Indrajit Ghorpade and The Hindu's report.
- What
- Varayattumudy in Kerala's Idukki district has emerged as a stronghold where the endangered Nilgiri tahr is thriving again.
- Where
- Varayattumudy in Kerala's Idukki district, within the Western Ghats and the Nilgiri Biosphere.
- When
- The article references a recent report by The Hindu; no specific date is mentioned.
- Why
- Protected and recovering ecosystems at Varayattumudy have allowed the Nilgiri tahr population to rebound after decades of decline caused by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Key facts
- Species
- Nilgiri tahr (endangered mountain goat)
- Location
- Varayattumudy, Idukki district, Kerala
- Region
- Western Ghats / Nilgiri Biosphere
- Endemism
- Found nowhere else; endemic to the Nilgiri Biosphere
- Threats
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Source
- Recent report by The Hindu
- Key voice
- Indrajit Ghorpade, environmentalist and wildlife photographer
Quotes
Indrajit Ghorpade
Environmentalist and wildlife photographer
“The name itself tells you where the species belongs, the Nilgiri tahr is endemic to the Nilgiri Biosphere and has evolved to survive in a very specialised ecosystem.”
indianexpress.com









