Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025: Conservation Efforts for Tamil Nadu’s State Animal

CURRENT AFFAIRS : Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025: Conservation Efforts for Tamil Nadu’s State Animal, Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025, Project Nilgiri Tahr, Eravikulam National Park 50 Years, Endangered Species India, Western Ghats Biodiversity, Wildlife Protection Act 1972, IUCN Red List India

Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025: Conservation Efforts for Tamil Nadu's State Animal

Spotlight on a Mountain Monarch

Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025: Conservation Efforts for Tamil Nadu’s State Animal : The Nilgiri Tahr, also known as the Nilgiri Ibex, is not just a wild animal of the Western Ghats—it is a symbol of Tamil Nadu’s ecological heritage. Recognised as the state animal of Tamil Nadu, it carries both biological and cultural importance. Adult males are known as “Saddlebacks” because of the silvery patch on their backs. These animals, mentioned even in ancient Tamil literature, are now the focus of a new collaborative wildlife census happening between April 24 and 27, 2025.

A Cross-State Conservation Effort

In a rare show of inter-state environmental cooperation, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are jointly organising this year’s Nilgiri Tahr census. The survey will cover 89 blocks in Kerala and 176 blocks in Tamil Nadu. Officials and trained volunteers will use camera traps and pellet sampling for DNA analysis, helping estimate the population with precision. The method used is the ‘bounded count’ technique, known for calculating population density in open habitats.

Home in the Western Ghats

This elusive mountain ungulate is found only in the southern Western Ghats, preferring high-altitude grasslands, rocky cliffs, and Shola forests. The largest population survives in Eravikulam National Park in Kerala, which celebrates 50 years in 2025. The cool, misty weather of these hill slopes is ideal for the Tahr’s survival. As diurnal animals, they are most active during the day and show remarkable ability to thrive in harsh, steep terrain.

Endangered and Under Watch

The Nilgiri Tahr is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This status provides the highest level of legal protection in India. The species has seen a serious decline due to habitat fragmentation, human interference, and illegal hunting. According to a 2015 WWF estimate, the wild population was around 3,122 individuals, compared to its once expansive range across the Western Ghats.

Project Nilgiri Tahr: A Ray of Hope

In December 2022, the Tamil Nadu government launched Project Nilgiri Tahr with a five-year vision and an allocation of ₹25.14 crore. The project aims to conduct radio-collar tracking, explore potential for reintroducing the Tahr into regions where it has vanished, and assess immediate threats like invasive species and climate change. By blending science, tradition, and policy, this initiative promises a renewed future for a species long revered in South Indian culture.

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Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025: Conservation Efforts for Tamil Nadu’s State Animal :

Aspect Details
Species Name Nilgiri Tahr (Aenocyon dirus)
Nickname Saddlebacks (for adult males)
Status Endangered – IUCN Red List
Legal Protection Schedule-I, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Major Habitat Western Ghats – Tamil Nadu & Kerala
Largest Population Eravikulam National Park, Kerala
Census Dates April 24–27, 2025
Census Technique Bounded Count, Pellet Sampling
Project Launch Year 2022 (by Tamil Nadu Government)
Project Budget ₹25.14 crore over 5 years
Population Estimate (2015) Approx. 3,122 (WWF Report)
State Animal of Tamil Nadu Nilgiri Tahr

 

Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025: Conservation Efforts for Tamil Nadu's State Animal
  1. Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiri Ibex) is the state animal of Tamil Nadu, culturally referenced in ancient Tamil literature.
  2. The Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025 will be held from April 24 to 27, covering Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  3. Adult male Tahrs are called Saddlebacks due to a silvery patch on their back.
  4. The species is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  5. The census will cover 89 blocks in Kerala and 176 blocks in Tamil Nadu.
  6. Officials will use camera traps and pellet sampling for DNA analysis and population estimation.
  7. The ‘bounded count’ technique is being used to assess population density.
  8. Eravikulam National Park in Kerala hosts the largest Nilgiri Tahr population, marking 50 years in 2025.
  9. Nilgiri Tahrs inhabit high-altitude grasslands, rocky cliffs, and Shola forests in the southern Western Ghats.
  10. These diurnal animals are most active during the daylight hours.
  11. Major threats include habitat fragmentation, human interference, and illegal hunting.
  12. The last major population estimate in 2015 recorded around 3,122 Nilgiri Tahrs.
  13. Project Nilgiri Tahr was launched in December 2022 by the Tamil Nadu Government.
  14. The project has a ₹25.14 crore budget allocated for a five-year conservation plan.
  15. Conservation efforts include radio-collar tracking and potential reintroduction in lost habitats.
  16. The project also assesses climate change and invasive species as immediate threats.
  17. The Nilgiri Tahr is exclusive to the Western Ghats, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
  18. The 2025 census is a joint effort between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, showcasing inter-state cooperation.
  19. The initiative blends science, policy, and tradition to revive a culturally significant species.
  20. The project highlights India’s commitment to endangered species protection and biodiversity conservation.

Q1. What is the scientific name of the Nilgiri Tahr?


Q2. What method is used in the 2025 census to estimate the Nilgiri Tahr population?


Q3. Which national park holds the largest population of Nilgiri Tahrs?


Q4. Under which legal act is the Nilgiri Tahr protected?


Q5. When was Project Nilgiri Tahr launched by the Tamil Nadu government?


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