Nilgiri Tahr is an animal endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and southern portion of the Western Ghats. It is a stocky goat with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane and most of all it is an endangered species. Our next stop was at Eravikulam national park, the home to this breed of goat. As viewing this endangered animal was once in a lifetime experience we embarked on the journey early in the morning after a quick breakfast.
Nilgiri Tahr
This park spread over 97 square kilometers is the first of its kind in Kerala and conserves the largest viable population of Nilgiri Tahr, other birds and animals. People visit this place in hordes when Neelakurinji blooms once every 12 years and the hill slopes get covered in a carpet of blue. You can opt for visit to Rajamalai to spot the Nilgiri Tahr or go on a trekking expedition through the forest to spot other rare flora and fauna. Trekking is for an extra cost and not included in the entrance fee.
Eravikulam Entrance
Long queue for tickets
There is always a huge line to buy tickets and we need to wait patiently. After entering there is a line of vehicles and buses waiting to take visitors to Rajamalai which is a 20 minute ride. We got into a mini-bus and as soon as it was full the ride started. Throughout the ride you get a birds eye-view of the park and it was beautiful. Soon we reached the hill top and started trekking up the hill. It is a 2 km trek and you can enjoy the nature trail. If you are lucky enough you can spot the Nilgiri Tahr before you reach the top. It was quite breezy and chilly and my nose froze. The air is fresh, view spectacular and the walk revitalizing.
Road to Rajamalai
Trekking path
We walked till the top and still could'nt spot any Tahr close enough to take pictures. There were few goats hopping about very far off but was not clearly visible in the fog. We reached the end of the road, beyond which entry was restricted and waited patiently. And soon our disappointment gave into joy as a family of Tahr came out of the forest to graze on the grassy hill. This gave us ample time to capture their poses and our mission was fulfilled. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hrs here. After clicking photographs we walked back and got into one of the buses waiting to take visitors back to the entrance of the park. There are buses coming and going every 10 mins and you can spend as much time as you want here.
Side view
Nilgiri Tahr
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