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The Nilgiri tahr climbs population charts
Why is it in news?
- In a heartening development for conservationists, a recent census has revealed that the population of the Nilgiri tahr (an endangered mountain goat) at the Mukurthi National Park has grown by an impressive 18% in the last two years, from 480 to 568.
Mukurthi National Park
- The Mukurthi National Park is located in the western corner of the Nilgiris Plateau west of Ootacamund hill station in the northwest corner of Tamil Nadu state in the Western Ghats mountain range of South India.
- It is home to an array of endangered wildlife viz. royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, Nilgiri tahr, etc.
- The park is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India’s first International Biosphere Reserve.
- Mukurthi National Park is a protected area located in the western corner of the Nilgiris plateau in Tamil Nadu.
- It is part of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, India’s first International Biosphere Reserve and part of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Threats- Continuing spread of invasive species of flora, such as wattle and pine, and exotic weeds like scotch broom (Cystisus scoparius) and gorse, which end up diminishing grazing land.
Source
The Hindu