Project Nilgiri Tahr is a flagship conservation programme of the Tamil Nadu State that has allowed for a better understanding of the Shola-grassland ecology of Mukurthi National Park (MNP), the conservation of its endemic flora and fauna, and the positive impacts of removal of invasive species from the landscape in recent years.
The experts said that conserving keystone species like Tahr would help gain insight into the ecology of less explored Mukurthi National Park in Tamil Nadu that has one of the highest Tahr populations.
According to Deputy Director Forests-Mukurthi National Park C. Vidhya, one important lesson to be learnt from this project is finding out what Nilgiri Tahr population at Mukurthu eat. “That is about learning more about grass diversity in habitats where you have Tahr and what they feed on,” she said indicating that there are some endemic grasses as well as other plants found only in this park hence being source interest for scientists.
“Tahr populations from other parts of their range within the State do consume some similar foods to those taken by MNP population, but also take certain grasses occurring nowhere else except for this Sanctuary,” explained Ms. Vidhya.
These findings might prove useful if it comes to safeguarding species’ future since “we are thinking about reintroducing Thar back into areas where they became locally extinct over last couple centuries”, noted Forest Department officials who were partaking in reviewing these results.
If it learns about diet preferences for Thar, any reintroduction plan would involve reestablishment of grazing lands preferred by these animals. Moreover, this has helped F. D. already figure out significance and identity native grasses—conservationist from Nilgiris following program claimed aimed conserving listed animal.
Ms Vidhya further stated that “the Forest Department also plans a survey on the complete floral composition inside this area.”
Invasive species removal programme
Some invasives spreading within parts of the MNP, especially wattle have been removed since 2017 by the State government.
“Few kilometers from Nilgiri Division boundary, wattle is found growing in Mukurthi National Park. It grows into small trees due to strong winds. Proposals for strategic wattle clearance from park area are being submitted year after year. During the last three years, around 120 hectares of acacia mearnsii have been cleared under different programs like IDWH, CAMPA and SADP,” said Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests and Climate Change to The Hindu.
Moreover, Ms.Vidhya noted that it will complement actions done under Project Nilgiri Tahr by freeing more space for this species within MNP through elimination of wattle.
Fortunately for Mukurthi National Park (MNP), impacts of climate change remain largely unseen hence invasive grasses cannot establish themselves there yet.
“The research on the availability of grass species at MNP has begun under Project Nilgiri Tahr. Meanwhile, we have found that in MNP, the grasses are either edible by Nilgiri tahr or non-edible; however there is no invasive grass. The native grass species come up naturally when wattle is removed and little intervention is required,” commented Ms Sahu.
According to Mr. Yuvaraj kumar, Forest Range Officer (Mukurthi National Park Range), 57 hectares of Wattle have already been removed and currently another 50 acres of this invader are taking place. He added from field observations it was evident that the removal of invasive species had a strong positive effect on local ecology and biodiversity.
Mukurthi National Park Range Forest Officer M.Yuvaraj kumar said “When you clear our wattles you will see about two to three specious for indigenous grass as well as shola tree type.” “For instance Sambar deer and Indian gaur which are herbivores mostly can be observed interacting with it as soon as it opens up either in search food or to go across different patches of their habitat” added Mr Yuvarajkumar.
However, there still remain some challenges aimed at keeping the park free of invasive species since cleared wattle patches regenerate due to existing seed banks. “This will require yearly maintenance work, with the new trees needing to be cleared for multiple years and being prevented from re-establishing,” he added.
Ms Sahu also noted that apart from ‘fabaceae’ family’s two invasive species dispensed by wind into the areas next to the reserve were being eliminated by Nilgiris forest division because they lay beyond Mukurthi Nationa park’s jurisdictional boundaries.
