The Nilgiri Wildlife And Environment Association (NWEA), a 140-year-old conservation group, is set to be revived. The NWEA was formed during colonial India to protect Nilgiris’ wildlife, which faced threats from European hunters using new rifles. Nilgiris-based conservationist N. Mohanraj said, "The decline in game numbers became alarming – even among the hunting community." General Richard Hamilton pushed for action, leading to the Nilgiris Game and Fish Preservation Act, 1879, which was India's first wildlife law. The group started as the Nilgiris Game Association in a meeting at the Nilgiri library, Udhagamandalam. It managed wildlife well, leading to key reserves like Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Mukurthi National Park. Mr. Mohanraj noted, "Thanks to this early initiative, the Nilgiris remains one of India’s most ecologically vibrant regions." The NWEA also helped create India’s first elephant corridor, the Sigur Elephant Corridor. Honorary secretary E.R.C. Davidar identified it. The Association introduced electric fences in 1984 to protect farms using expertise from New Zealand and Australia. Nilgiri Tahr was made the State animal because of the NWEA’s efforts. In recent years, disputes caused the closure of the NWEA office by collector Innocent Divya. Officials confirm talks are ongoing to reopen the group. Conservationists warn that without the NWEA, the Nilgiris’ biodiversity suffers from unchecked development. A conservationist said, "It is no coincidence that the acceleration of the negative impact to the region’s biodiversity has coincided with the NWEA’s decline." Reviving the NWEA could turn the tide for Nilgiris’ precious wildlife again.