Project Nilgiri Tahr: UPSC Current Affairs

Description

Why In News?

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has initiated the third synchronized survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, covering a 3,100 km range across the Western Ghats to ensure accurate population estimation.

About Nilgiri Tahr

The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), locally known as Varudai, is the only mountain ungulate in southern India.

As the State Animal of Tamil Nadu, it serves as an indicator species for the health of the high-altitude shola-grassland ecosystem of the Western Ghats.

Biological and Ecological Profile

Physical Features: They are known for their curved horns and "saddle-back" (a light-colored patch) found on mature males. They are exceptionally agile, capable of navigating near-vertical cliffs.
Habitat: They are endemic to the Western Ghats, preferring high-altitude montane grasslands (1,200m to 2,600m) interspersed with rocky cliffs.
Diet: Primarily grazers, feeding on various grasses and herbs found in the shola-grasslands.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Endangered
Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule I (highest protection)
CITES: Not listed, but its range is restricted to small, fragmented pockets in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Recent Survey

In April 2026, the Tamil Nadu Government launched the Third Synchronized Nilgiri Tahr Survey.

Scope: The survey covered a 3,100 km range across the Western Ghats, spanning both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Technology: For the first time, the 'Varudai' mobile app was used for real-time data entry and GPS tagging of sightings.
Methodology: The "Bounded Count" and "Block Count" methods were employed with Kerala to prevent "double-counting" of herds moving across state borders.

Project Nilgiri Tahr

Launched by the Tamil Nadu government in 2022-23 with an outlay of ₹25.14 crore, this is India’s first state-led project dedicated to a specific ungulate.

Objectives:

Reintroduction of Tahrs to their historical habitats (like the Glenmorgan hills).
Diagnosis and treatment of lumpy skin disease in wild populations.
Ecological restoration of shola-grasslands by removing invasive species like Wattle and Eucalyptus.
Designating October 7th as "Nilgiri Tahr Day" in honor of E.R.C. Davidar.

Source: THEHINDU

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Nilgiri Tahr:

It is the only mountain ungulate found in the Himalayas.
It is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
It is listed as 'Critically Endangered' on the IUCN Red List.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Nilgiri Tahr is endemic to the Western Ghats of South India, not the Himalayas. It is recognized as the only mountain ungulate found in Southern India.

Statement 2 is correct: The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is the official state animal of Tamil Nadu.

Statement 3 is incorrect: On the IUCN Red List, the Nilgiri Tahr is categorized as 'Endangered', not 'Critically Endangered'.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Nilgiri Tahr is classified as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List due to its restricted and highly fragmented habitat. In India, it receives the highest degree of legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Launched by the Tamil Nadu government in 2022-23, it is India’s first state-led conservation project dedicated to a specific ungulate. The project aims to restore shola-grasslands, treat diseases in wild herds, and reintroduce the Tahr to its historical, vacant habitats.

Eravikulam National Park in Kerala currently hosts the largest single contiguous population of Nilgiri Tahrs in the world, largely due to successful community-led protection models involving indigenous tribes.