Hello travelers!

We at Duniya Gol Hai believe in responsible traveling very passionately. And as a part of that belief, we present our first interview to you.

Meet Mr.Mohan Alembath, a noted wildlife conservationist, who shares his experience with us about the conservation of the Nilgiri Tahr. The Nilgiri Tahr ungulate is native to the Nilgiri Hills and the southern part of the Western Ghats range in Tamil Nadu and Kerala states of southernmost India. SuperHypersonic from Duniya Gol Hai interviewed Mr.Alembath.He talks about his work with the Nilgiri Tahr since almost three decades, his first encounter with the Nilgiri Tahr, the impact of the forest act, Eravikulam National Park, World Congress on Mountain Ungulates ,the challenges and threats to this endangered species due to ecological imbalances and climatic changes.

He told us about the Nature Education Classes conducted by Forest department, which can be a great way to learn about the wildlife. Duniya Gol Hai thanks Mr.Alembath for sharing his knowledge with us and for his time.

Read on to know more about his work, about the Nilgiri Tahr and Mr.Alembath's advice to travelers to forest areas and National parks.

1. When and why did you start working for the cause of Nilgiri Tahr conservation?

Mr.Alembath:I first started working for Nilgiri Tahr in 1981. I was posted as Assistant wildlife warden of Eravikulam National Park. I was young and raring to go. I specifically asked for this posting as I love mountain country and its magnificent inhabitants like Nilgiri Tahr. Poaching was not an unheard of thing in those days. I liked challenges and was determined to face poachers head on. Those days getting a wildlife posting was easy. There were very few takers for the job. You would be surprised to know that wildlife posting was considered as a punishment posting in those unenlightened days. I worked hand in hand with High Range wildlife and Environment Preservation society a wildlife society populated by Tata Tea employees of Munnar. The local Muduvan tribals whose knowledge of the Tahr terrain is amazing were always at hand to guide me. I learned a lot about Nilgiri Tahr and its habitat from those magnificent tribals.

2. What distinguishes Nilgiri Tahr from the Himalayan/Arabian Tahr?

Mr.Alembath: Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrius) is the largest of the three species and is found on the Western Ghats of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Himalyan Tahr (hemitragus jemlahicus) is found in the Himalayas and sometimes looks larger than Nilgiri Tahr because of its pelage. This thick coat is nature’s strategy to counter cold conditions of Himalyas. Arabian tahr(Hemitragus jayakiri) is found in the sultanate of Oman and Hajar mountains in UAE. While Nilgiri Tahr and Himalayan Tahr lives in small to medium herds Arabian Tahr is solitary or lives in very small groups consisting of a female and a kid, or a male.

3. How was it to see a Nilgiri Tahr for the first time?

Mr.Alembath: My first view of Nilgiri Tahr had an almost mystical quality about it. I was hiking up a steep slope in a completely mist laden terrain of Munnar. It was early morning and as the mist lifted for a very brief span, smack in front of me was this imposing full grown adult male Tahr with mist swirling around him. I stood transfixed. I don’t know who was more surprised me or the Tahr. It bolted down the steep cliffs, but the view is still etched in my memory.

4. What are the prominent changes in the ecosystem that have further affected the Nilgiri Tahr population?

Mr.Alembath: The loss of habitat is the biggest setback faced in the conservation of Nilgiri Tahr. The forest departments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, in the early unenlightened days used to treat grass lands as waste lands. Eucalyptus and wattle were planted depriving prime Tahr habitat. Poaching also has played its part in the decline of population. Inexorable pressure of rising population has a deleterious effect. In the politician’s mind the need of the people overrides the needs of the denizens of the wild.

5. Also, the recent climatic changes that are observed around the world, what impact it has had on the Tahr?

Mr.Alembath: The pattern of rain has become erratic. Rutting in Nilgiri Tahr is intimately related to the monsoon. Although it is too early to come to firm conclusions we have danger signals. The birth of Nilgiri Tahr which used to occur with clockwork precision in the first week of January is getting delayed. Last year it was late by 2 weeks. This year the delay was one month. The percentage of recruitment of young ones has also come down. It used to be around 20%. Last year it was 8%.

6. What are your views on the Indian Forest Rights Act?

Mr.Alembath: The act has been passed by the parliament and is a fait accompli. I have absolutely no objections about giving the tribals what is their due but the act has some disturbing provisions. For example admitting the claims of ‘other traditional forest dwellers’ on the basis of physical Attributes/traditional structures/pictures would certainly lead to wide abuse. If an area is to be declared as critical wildlife habitat, the consent of the individuals as well as Gram Sabha will be required at almost every stage from relocation to acceptance of the relocation package. But alas, if the same area is to be opened up for mining or construction of a hydel power project or any other "developmental work", no such consent will be required. All that will be required is a public hearing. This is going to be misused conveniently.

The act seeks to shift forest / wildlife management from the Forest Department to Gram Sabhas but capacity building has not been specified and is not a priority item anywhere. This may throw existing forest and wildlife management in to doldrums. With all its short comings the act is here to stay. The prudent course now is to learn to live with this fait accompli. While espousing the cause of the tribals the act also does emphasis the point that the forests belongs primarily to wildlife even though the interests of the mainstream society gets a back seat. The Act very specifically says the right holders have the fundamental duty to protect and conserve the forest. While the act lays emphasis on critical wildlife habitat in extant national parks and sanctuaries it does not prevent us from creating new sanctuaries and national parks and identify new critical wildlife areas that remain inviolate. Right now many of our protected areas have been designated not purely on scientific considerations. Many extraneous considerations have gone in to the declaration. The time has come to do fresh delineations based on purely scientific considerations against the backdrop of the act. The mandate given to Gram Sabhas in the act is saddled with huge responsibilities. It is here that the conservationists can chip in, hand in hand with forest department, to strengthen the Gram Sabha machinery so that the whole process evolves as a people’s movement with total transparency.

The time to act is short and we are at a turning point. If sagaciously utilized the present opportunity can bring in new dimensions of management that takes care of the needs of the tribals.

7. What work has been done at Eravikulam National Park, which has the largest surviving population of the Nilgiri Tahr?

Mr.Alembath: The first detailed study of the ecology and behavior of Nilgiri Tahr was done in Eravikulam National Park by Dr Clifford G Rice from US. This study is still our bench mark for conservation of Nilgiri Tahr. The census technique for Nilgiri Tahr evolved in Eravikulam National Park over the years has been adopted for other Tahr areas also. This method is a modification of the famous King’s method of census. Eravikulam also has the distinction where corporate house (Tata Tea) and tribals(Muduvans) also worked hand in hand with forest department in the evolution of proper management techniques for Nilgiri Tahr.

8. What impact did World Congress on Mountain Ungulates [2006] have, after being held for the first time in Asia at Munnar, the home of the endangered Nilgri Tahr?

Mr.Alembath :The meeting was attended by legendary wildlife biologist Dr George B Schaller who was the first to do a short study of Nilgiri Tahr. Dr Rice who did a detailed 3 year study of ecology and behavior of Nilgiri Tahr was also there. Other world renowned Caprinae scientists headed by Dr Marco Fests Bianchet, head of the Caprinae specialist group of IUCN also attended the meet. The event gave an opportunity to Indian park managers and wildlife biologists to interact with the best in the world. It was a very rare opportunity that does not come often.The delegates of the conference also came up with a set of recommendations for the conservation of Nilgiri Tahr which are being actively pursued.

9. What role do the government and the Forest department have played in supporting this cause?

Mr.Alembath: The forest department chipped in with logistic support for the conference. The forest minister and the chief wildlife warden of Kerala were active participants. The proposals mooted by the delegates of the conference are being synchronized in to the management prescriptions of the Tahr areas. Both Kerala and Tamil Nadu are taking necessary steps to protect the habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Nilgiri Tahr is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.

10. What are main challenges in the Conservation process?

Mr.Alembath: The rise in population around Nilgiri Tahr areas is a big challenge. As the needs of the populace rise pressure on the now pristine inviolate areas is bound to go up. A new strategy in conservation in which local population has a say and becomes an active participants in conservation needs to be developed. The expertise of social scientists is also required to fine tune this process and put it in to practice.

11. How can people support this cause? Also how can the people visiting Eravikulam or Periyar national parks gain more awareness about this endangered species?

Mr.Alembath: The forest department conducts nature education classes in the reserves. Attending one is a great learning experience. It gives you the pulse of the local conservation works. Donate books for the conservation education. Go on hikes and other conservation related activities promoted by the tribals and local inhabitants. Chip in with a contribution to the local eco-development committees if possible. Buy the products made by local artisans living around the reserves. If you have a better idea to improve the living standards of the tribals and other stake holders of the park pass it on to the authorities.

12. How would you advise travelers to be more responsible to the natural surroundings and the wildlife?

Mr.Alembath: Respect the wilderness. Respect the rules of the park.

You are barging in to the habitat of wild animals. You are the intruder. Do not talk loudly. If you have to talk, talk in whispers. Do not throw litter around. Do not use plastic. Do not try to feed wild animals. If possible wild animals should be approached at an oblique angle rather than head on. Head on usually represent a threat. Do not pursue animals showing avoidance tactics or those that are running/swimming/flying. Walk along designated paths only. It has been proved by scientific studies that vegetation trampled by tourists take at least 20 years to get back to a semblance of original vegetation in areas like Munnar.

A trip to areas like Eravikulam should become a learning experience. Try to understand the importance of the flagship species of the mountain ecosystem.