Mukurthi National Park

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Context

The Forest Department of Tamilnadu is taking various steps for surveillance in Mukurthi National Park in Nilgir This will help in curbing poaching activities in the forests of the Nilgiris division.
In an effort to fill the gaps in surveillance and address grey areas of these dense forests, the Tamilnadu Forest Department has employed additional anti-poaching watchers.

Other Details

A north Indian gang of poachers was arrested a few months ago in the Nilgiris forest division and was on account of poaching a tiger and a leopard.
They collected intelligence about the location of tigers by pretending to be blanket sellers.
Anti-poaching watchers will be recruited in Kundah, Korakundah, Udhagai South, Parsons Valley, Pykara and Naduvattam to conduct regular patrols and monitor illegal entries into the forests.

Other steps to discourage poaching

Also the managers of private estates in the area are told to keep a close watch on their employed migrant workers.
To discourage any kind of hunting cases are being registered against people who hunt even small animals like jungle fowl and wild boar.

Need for increased surveillance

There are several grey areas surrounding the Mukurthi National Park which are heaven for poachers.
Along with that there is no established system of anti-poaching operations in the region to curb the poaching activities.

Mukurthi National Park

The park was notified on 07th November 1990 and initially was known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park.

Area and Location

This park is a part of Nilgiri Bio Reserve, first Bio Reserve of India and is situated on western side of Nilgiris Plateau.
It has an area of 78.46 sq. km with Silent Valley National Park and Mudumalai National Park lying on its borders.
It belongs to the Biographic zone of Western Ghats.

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Flora

Mainly Shola grasslands and shrublands at a high altitude.
Rhododendrons, raspberries, Cinnamon and black berries are in the majority.
Endemic plant species like Alchemilla indica and Hedyotis verticillaris.
It has many shrubs such as Gaultheria fragrantissima, Helichrysum, Daphniphyllum neilgherrense etc.
Other plant species are Mahonia, Satyrium, eucalyptus, Hedyotis verticillaris, Impatiens plants etc.

Fauna

Mammals :

The main species of Mukurthi National Park is Nilgiri Tahr.
Apart from Nilgiri Tahr, This park is also home to endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Asian Elephant.
Other mammal species are Sambar, Leopard, panthers, Nilgiri Marten, Barking Deer, Nilgiri Langur; jackals etc.

Birds:

Malabar Whistling Thrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Black and Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Parrots, Vultures, Nilgiri Pipit and other migratory birds.

Reptiles

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Grey Areas of Forests

These are the regions of dense forests where there is poor coverage of surveillance activities by forest departments of a state.
These areas are mostly situated along interstate boundaries which makes it easy for poachers to enter from surrounding regions and hard to monitor poaching.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements about Mukurthi National Park:

1. This national park is a part of India’s first Bio Reserve.

2. Nilgiri Tahr is considered the main species of Mukurthi National Park.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (C)