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.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
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 |