[1]The Central government is considering a Rs 30-crore recovery project plan spread over five years for Nilgiri tahr, the endangered mountain goats along the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The project undertaken by a group of former forest officials of Kerala under the initiative of the Tamil Nadu forest department is now pending with the ministry of environment and forest for financial support.
According to Mr P.S. Easa who heads the team under the species recovery programme of the MoEF, the goats which have been called the ‘mountain monarchs’ are an endangered species.
They are largely found in the Nilgiri Hills, Anaimalai Hills and the High Ranges along Munnar. The Eravikulam National Park, frequented by tourists to Munnar, is the largest home to these mountain goats.
He said that besides an annual survey of these animals, there is nothing substantial done for their protection.
It was with this aim that the team undertook a study of the animals and has readied the programme that aims to conserve them.
In the team are two former wildlife wardens of Eravikulam, Mr Mohan Alembath and Mr James Zacharia. The annual survey at the park has begun and will over by this week.
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[1] http://103.241.136.51/nilgiritahrkeralajpgcropdisplayjpg-781