The Eravikulam National Park in Rajamalai, Munnar, will reopen for visitors on April 1, marking the end of the two-month closure that began on February 1. The closure was implemented considering the mating season of the Nilgiri Tahrs, an endangered species that primarily inhabit the area.
The authorities had observed the birth of three Nilgiri tahr fawns at Rajamalai, prompting the closure of the park and prohibiting entry to Rajamalai. During the closure, the park underwent maintenance work and new cafeterias and selfie points were established for visitors. Additionally, the fern plant collection at Ancham Mile is nearing completion.
The national park is home to the largest concentration of Nilgiri tahrs. Last year, 785 tahrs were sighted inside the park during the annual census. The species, known locally as Varayadu, is a mountain ungulate endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the southern portion of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They are protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972, and considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Rajamalai Eravikulam National Park is a popular destination for tourists who come to see the Nilgiri tahrs and other wildlife. With the park reopening, visitors will once again have the opportunity to enjoy the park's natural beauty and observe the endangered species in their habitat.
