THODUPUZHA: After the 60-day calving season of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, the Eravikulam National Park was opened for the public on Wednesday.Spread over an area of 97 sq km, the park situated along the crest of the Western Ghats, is known for Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small-clawed otter, and dusky-striped squirrel other than the tahr.The park was closed for visitors for 60 days starting February 1 to facilitate safe breeding and safety of the newborn tahrs.According to forest officials, at least 100 tahrs were born during the breeding season. The census of the tahrs will be taken by the end of this month.There are 816 tahrs present in the park as per the latest census held last year.At least 4.5 lakh people had visited the park last year fetching an income of `3.25 crore.Wildlife warden Saju told ‘Express’ that about 1500 tourists visited the park on the reopening day. “The number of tourists is expected to go up in the coming days. Most of them are domestic tourists,” he said.The park will be open from 8 am to 6 pm, but tickets will be sold only till 4.30 pm, he said. The tourists will have to take an eight-kilometre drive from Munnar through Marayoor Road in order to reach the park.
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