Why the Nilgiri Tahr is thriving again in this corner of Kerala

Unlike adaptable animals that can thrive across varied landscapes, Nilgiri tahrs depend on high-altitude shola forests interspersed with montane grasslands, a unique mosaic found in the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. These habitats provide food, shelter, breeding sites and escape terrain from predators.

“Healthy shola-grassland ecosystems are critical to maintaining healthy tahr populations,” Ghorpade explains.

How habitat loss pushed the species towards decline

Over the decades, several human-driven changes have reduced suitable habitat for the species. “Their habitats have been encroached upon, land use has changed, wildlife corridors have become fragmented and landscapes have degraded,” says Ghorpade. “All these factors together contributed to declining numbers.”

Habitat fragmentation has consequences beyond simply reducing available space.

“When populations become isolated, there is reduced gene pool transfer between them,” he says. “That affects the long-term resilience of the species.” Small, disconnected populations are also more vulnerable to disease, environmental changes and extreme weather events.

Nilgiri Tahr (Photo: Wikipedia)

Why Varayattumudy is seeing encouraging numbers

Ghorpade attributes it to habitat revival, limited human disturbance and the availability of secure breeding grounds.

“Minimum human footprint and safe breeding areas create positive conditions for wildlife,” he says. “This is an encouraging step and one that was needed.”

He believes the lesson extends well beyond the Nilgiri tahr. “A common approach for conserving all wildlife is to revive and increase habitats,” he says. “Flora and fauna need specific habitats that must be preserved and protected.”

More habitat means healthier populations

Conservation is often centred on increasing animal numbers, but Ghorpade argues that protecting landscapes should remain the priority.

“The more the spaces, the more the numbers,” he says. “If suitable habitats increase, wildlife gets more room to feed, breed and disperse.”

However, he notes that conservation is about maintaining ecological balance rather than maximising numbers indefinitely. “Overgrazing can also become an issue if populations exceed what the habitat can sustainably support,” he says. “There has to be a balance between realistic conservation goals and ecological needs.”

Conservation requires balancing people and nature

“There needs to be a balance between development, habitat conservation, predator-prey relationships and tourism,” says Ghorpade.

He points out that well-managed tourism can generate funds for conservation, while some countries have adopted innovative models to support wildlife protection.

“For example, carefully regulated trophy hunting programmes in Pakistan have generated revenue that has contributed to the conservation of species such as the snow leopard,” he says, adding that every region must adopt approaches suited to its own ecological and social context.