The Nilgiri mountains in Tamil Nadu, part of India’s Western Ghats, are not just scenic ‘blue mountains’ but a hotspot of biodiversity. Home to unique species like the Nilgiri pipit, Nilgiri sholakili, and Nilgiri laughingthrush, these hills have become the focus of a groundbreaking study revealing the hidden effects of human activity on bird populations over the last 170 years.

Led by Vijay Ramesh, scientists from India, the UK, and the US combined museum specimens and field-based surveys to trace changes in bird diversity. Surprisingly, data from decades-old specimens and maps provided crucial historical context, showing how land-use changes—like deforestation and urban expansion—altered habitats and threatened endemic species.

While field studies are vital, this research highlights how archives and old records can uncover patterns that modern observation alone might miss. The study signals an urgent call for conservation strategies rooted in both historical insight and current ecological realities.

By revisiting the past, scientists can better predict the future, protecting these fragile ecosystems before it’s too late.