Nilgiri tahrs thrive in Chokramudi hills after govt. takeover of land

In 2024, the Chokramudi hills under Bison Valley panchayat near Munnar in Idukki were known primarily as a hub for encroachers. However, just two years later, the landscape has been transformed into a thriving natural habitat for the endangered Nilgiri tahrs.

The crisis began in August 2024 when an Adimaly native purchased 14.69 acres of land in the ecologically fragile Chokramudi hills, attempting to subdivide and sell the area into over 60 plots. The encroacher constructed an illegal road, felled numerous trees, and built a check dam on the hillside. In response, downstream residents of Bison Valley formed the “Chokramudi Protection Council” to protest the illegal construction and encroachment.

Two Special Investigation Teams (SIT)—one headed by K. Sethuraman, former Director of the Police Training College, and another led by the Devikulam Subcollector—uncovered large-scale encroachment of government land and the massive destruction of rare Neelakurinji plants.

Following these reports, the Revenue Department cancelled the 13.69 acres of land’s title deeds in March 2025 and reclaimed the area for the government. By August 2025, authorities also cancelled the title deed for an additional 1.05 acres and seized a resort built on the encroached property on the Chokramudi hills.

Since the government takeover, the absence of unregulated tourism has allowed nature to rebound. Local tribespeople report that Nilgiri tahrs are now frequently camping in the area, often grazing alongside the tribes’ cattle.

Botanist Jomy Augustine confirmed that the Chokramudi hills have become an active habitat for the Nilgiri tahrs and Neelakurinji. “The climate and grasslands here are most favourable for the Nilgiri tahr,” Mr. Augustine said. “Additionally, the hills are set to witness a massive flowering of Neelakurinji this August. The valleys will be painted in shades of violet,” he added.

According to local residents, other wildlife, including wild elephants, are also increasingly spotted returning to the Chokramudi hills.