What wildlife has returned to the Nilgiris after restoration efforts by EBR?

Efforts by EBR have led to the return of tigers, leopards, sloth bears, sambar, muntjac, mouse deer, Nilgiri langurs, and 12 endemic bird species.

How is traditional knowledge being used in Nilgiris' ecological restoration?

Traditional ecological knowledge from indigenous communities like the Todas is used to guide the selection of pioneering species for shola restoration and understand seasonal indicators.

Why is grassland and shola restoration important in the Nilgiris?

Restoring grasslands and shola forests is vital for biodiversity, water security, and re-establishing a balance between human development and nature conservation.

Home / Environment / Nilgiris: Rewilding Success Returns Wildlife to Plantations

Nilgiris: Rewilding Success Returns Wildlife to Plantations

9 Jan

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Summary

Restoration transforms tea plantations into grasslands and shola forests.
Efforts have successfully reintroduced tigers, leopards, and endemic birds.
Indigenous knowledge guides ecological revival, fostering co-existence.

Nilgiris: Rewilding Success Returns Wildlife to Plantations

Ecological restoration efforts in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiri Plateau are successfully reviving native grasslands and shola forests, transforming former tea plantations into thriving wildlife habitats. Around eight acres of a tea estate have been restored to indigenous grassland and shola, attracting herbivores like deer and predators such as leopards and tigers. This initiative is crucial as less than 9% of the original grassland and shola mosaic remains due to extensive plantations and deforestation.

Conservationists, including organizations like Edhkwehlynawd Botanical Refuge (EBR) and Keystone Foundation, are spearheading these efforts. They are reintroducing over 10 grass species and 40 tree species, alongside native orchids and herbs. This meticulous work has led to the documented return of 12 endemic birds and mammals, including sambar, sloth bears, and the Bengal tiger. Traditional ecological knowledge from indigenous communities, like the Todas, is integral to this process, guiding the selection of native species and restoration techniques.