Nilgiri tahr census begins

The Hindu | April 23, 2013

Initiative by Forest Department will end on April 28

• 30-member team will cover national park in Munnar
• Park will be divided into 13 blocks for the purpose

A 30-member team on Monday started the census of Nilgiri tahr in the 97-sq.km. stretch of the Eravikulam National Park in Munnar. The census is being held after the two-month breeding season of Nilgiri tahr for which the park was closed. The area inhabited by Nilgiri tahr is divided into 13 blocks for census which will b conducted by environmentalists and officials of the Forest Department. It will conclude on April 28.

Nilgiri tahr is endemic to the Eravikulam National Park of the Western Ghats and is a major attraction for tourists and environmentalists. Since Nilgiri tahr faces threat from carnivorous animals and natural factors, the Forest Department has adopted strict measures for their protection.

A preliminary unofficial survey this season found 47 newborns. An official of the Forest Department said that though the census may not yield an exact figure, it would provide a clear picture of whether there was an increase in their number. This in turn would the authorities help adopt strategies for the animal’s protection.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/nilgiri-tahr-census-begins/article4645893.ece

Elephants break into Kerala farm to drink clean water

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Wild elephants have been breaking into a state government-owned livestock farm in Kerala's popular hill station Munnar to drink clean water as the water in the town's Mattupetty dam has become polluted, an official said.

"We have brought this to the attention of the government who in turn have asked the Kerala State Pollution Control Board to find out what can be done to clean up the dam," a Kerala state biodiversity board (KSBB) official told IANS.

The Kerala Livestock Development Board, which owns the farm, has registered a complaint with KSBB that wild elephants have been smashing water pipes in the farm to drink clean water.

The pollution in the picturesque Mattupetty dam is caused by diesel or kerosene-run motor boats that are used to ferry tourists, an official said.

Munnar town is in Idukki district and is located 1,450 metre above sea level in the Western Ghats.

Elephant expert Jacob Cheeran said that on an average an elephant requires 125 litres of water to drink and more than 200 litres to throw on its body every day, and the tuskers prefer good quality of water to drink.

Chairman of the state pollution control board K. Sajeevan said that he would visit Munnar next week and speak to the officials of the farm and see what can be done to keep the water bodies there free from pollution.

The livestock farm, an Indo-Swiss project, was set up in Munnar in 1963.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/Elephants-break-into-Kerala-farm-to-drink-clean-water/articleshow/19412974.cms

Tiger strikes again

The elusive tiger has struck again at the Nayamakkad Estate in Munnar. It killed a cow on Saturday night, a portion of which was eaten. A forest team led by Munnar range officer Joshy Sebastian confirmed that the cow was killed by the tiger and advised the people to keep the carcass there in order to avoid it attacking other livestock. On Monday night, the tiger dragged the carcass nearly 50 metres away and ate it. An official said night patrol had been intensified to trace the tiger.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/tiger-strikes-again/article4267712.ece