NILGIRI TAHR POPULATION RISES: SUCCESS OF PROJECT NILGIRI TAHR

 Why In News?

Recent synchronized surveys have recorded a rise in the endangered Nilgiri Tahr population across the Western Ghats, highlighting the early success of conservation efforts like 'Project Nilgiri Tahr'.

What is the Nilgiri Tahr?

The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is an endangered mountain ungulate endemic to southern India.

The species holds the title of the State Animal of Tamil Nadu.

Sangam literature refers to the animal as Varudai or Varaiaadu, translating to "cliff goat".

Physical characteristics feature a stocky build, short, coarse yellowish-brown fur, and a bristly mane.

Adult males undergo a color transformation to dark brown or black and develop a distinctive silvery-grey patch on their backs, earning them the name "saddlebacks".

Both males and females possess backward-curving horns, which uniquely develop growth rings that indicate the animal's exact age.

Full-genome sequencing reveals the species shares closer genetic ties to sheep (Ovis) than to standard goats.

Habitat

• The Nilgiri Tahr exclusively inhabits the montane shola-grassland ecosystems.
• The animal is found in high-altitude meadows featuring steep, precipitous cliffs, at elevations ranging from 1,100 to 2,695 meters above sea level.
• The species shows exceptional climbing abilities, effortlessly defying gravity to scale steep rocky terrains where predators cannot easily reach.

Geographic Distribution of Nilgiri Tahr

• The species remains strictly endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.
• The current geographic range restricts the animal to Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Key strongholds include the Nilgiri Hills, Anamalai Hills, Eravikulam National Park, Palani Hills, and the Agastyamalai range.

Key Findings of the 2026 Survey

The Tamil Nadu and Kerala Forest Departments executed a synchronized double-observer survey.

Surveyors recorded a population of 1,364 Nilgiri Tahrs in Tamil Nadu, marking a 4.68% increase from the 2025 count.

The combined population across Tamil Nadu and Kerala recorded at 2,655 individuals, representing the highest numbers in recent decades.

The Anamalai Hills dominate the distribution, holding 44.87% of Tamil Nadu's total population, followed by the Nilgiris landscape at 29.25%.

The demographic data indicates a healthy male-to-female ratio of 55:100 and a female-to-young ratio of 100:66.

Field staff deployed 'Varudai', an Android-based mobile application, to ensure real-time data collection, precise GPS coordinates, and standardized reporting.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Classified globally as an Endangered species.

Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Accorded the highest protection under Schedule I.

Key Threats: The species faces extreme vulnerability to habitat fragmentation, encroachment by exotic invasive plants (like Eucalyptus, wattle, and Lantana), climate change, forest fires, and historical poaching.

Source: INDIANEXPRESS