Eravikulam in March remains closed under the Kerala Forest Department's mandatory Nilgiri Tahr calving rule. The closure runs February 1 through end-March every year — entry to Rajamala viewing zone is suspended, Anamudi permits are not issued, and the online booking system at eravikulam.kerala.gov.in marks the period unavailable. The calving period protects Tahr ewes during the most vulnerable weeks of the herd's annual cycle; calves born February-March are typically just visible alongside adult animals from the April 1 reopening. Verify exact reopen date annually on the Forest Department portal — the period occasionally extends a week or two depending on calving progress reports issued by the Eravikulam range office. If the trip is wildlife-led — tahr viewing, Anamudi summit (2695m, escorted-only), shola-grassland walks — push to either October-January (peak post-monsoon visibility) or April-May (post-reopen, mild weather, calves alongside herd, lower visitor load than the December tail). The Munnar tea estate side runs normally through March: KDHP-owned Kanan Devan Hills sweep at year-clearest, Tea Museum at the Nallathanni estate (₹100, 9am-4pm, closed Mon), Top Station (32km, 1880m), Mattupetty Dam, Kundala Lake — all open. The Eravikulam-led wildlife trip cannot happen.

Why March scores 2.0/10