Nilgiri tahr populations in the Varayattumudy and Chokramudi hills of Kerala have risen following the completion of an eco-restoration project [1].
The growth of this population demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted habitat restoration in recovering endangered species within the Idukki district. By improving food availability and land management, the project has created a sustainable environment for the animals to thrive.
According to the Forest Department, the population on the hills has risen significantly, with nearly 150 tahrs recently sighted [1]. This represents a substantial increase from the approximately 50 animals recorded in 2022 [1].
The recovery follows a specific ecological intervention designed to ensure better food availability for the species [1]. The eco-restoration project involved 22.5 hectares of land [1]. This initiative was completed in 2024, coinciding with the observed spike in the animal population [1, 2].
Officials said the landscape has been transformed into a thriving habitat for the tahrs just two years after the initial efforts began [1]. The success in Varayattumudy mirrors similar trends in the Chokramudi hills, where the population thrived after the government took over the land [2].
The Nilgiri tahr is an endangered mountain goat endemic to the Western Ghats. The restoration of these high-altitude grasslands is critical for the species' survival, as they rely on specific forage, and rugged terrain for protection from predators.
“The Nilgiri tahr population on the hills has risen significantly, with nearly 150 tahrs recently sighted”
The tripling of the Nilgiri tahr population in this specific region highlights the direct correlation between land tenure—specifically government takeover and restoration—and biodiversity recovery. It suggests that small-scale, targeted restoration of specific hectares can yield rapid results for endangered species if the primary limiting factor, such as food availability, is addressed.
