SOME UNIQUE ECO SYSTEMS/ HABITAT

Podocarpus wallichianus

Podocarpus wallichianus, locally known as Nirampally, is the only coniferous tree survived in the Western Ghats. This endangered tree species belongs to family Podocarpaceae. Podocarpus wallichianus is not seen these days, in any part other than the tract between Upper Moozhiyar and Urani.

Reed climber (Schizostachyum beddomeii)

Although reeds occur throughout this place, Schizostachyum beddomeii (reed climber) is found distributed only in the stretch of land beside Moozhiyar - Kakki road, near Aranamudi. Though there are similar other tracts in this area, this species is not seen in any such areas. This species, which is in the danger of extinction and endemic to this part of the Western Ghats, resembles the ordinary reed (Ochlandra scriptoria) in appearance and qualities in general.

Nigiri tahr

Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius) is a near relative of its Himalayan counter part, the Himalayan tahr. Nilgiri tahr is a bit bigger than its Himalayan cousin and has only a short coat of yellowish brown hair. In the past it was found over a great range of the Western Ghats in large herds. Congregations of over a hundred tahrs were common. Habitat loss and poaching had wiped it out from most of the earlier ranges. Unlike the Himalayan tahr, it prefers open grass covered hills, thereby offering an easy target for the poachers.
In Kerala the species is found in abundance at Eravikulam and in small population at Parambikulam, Periyar and Ponmudi. In Pachakkanam parts of Ranni Division also they are present, though not in large population. The habitat at Pachakkanam extends over the grasslands interspersed with sholas from Pambamala to Ponnambalamedu and further north to Uppupara areas. Nilgiri tahrs graze in open areas. They graze early in the morning and again in the evening in flocks of half a dozen or more, which may swell to form much larger herds also. During the hot hours of the day, they rest in the shelter of rocks. Poachers apart, tigers, panthers and wild dogs also kill them.

Kana kamuku

Interestingly, there exists a microhabitat within the Tahr habitat. This microhabitat is confined to the fringes of sholas seen along the mountain folds; and the species occurring is the ‘rare palm’ Bentinckia condepanna (Kana kamuku). This species is seen in gregarious patches at many shola