PROJECT NILGIRI TAHR Report Release of Second Synchronized Survey of Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Nadu-2025
The Project Nilgiri Tahr is a species specific conservation project to conserve the state animal of Tamil Nadu. The Project Nilgiri Tahr was launched by Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on October 12, 2023 with the outlay of Rs.25.14 crore. It has nine different components which are focusing on Nilgiri Tahr protection, conservation, management of population, assessing its home range, technological interventions, adoption of different scientific methodologies at par with international standards, involving elite international and national experts in different aspects of projects.
One among the activity of Project Nilgiri Tahr is Annual Synchronized Survey of Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Nadu. Since inception of the project, the first synchronized survey was carried out in 140 survey blocks in the year 2024 for three consecutive days with selected regions of Kerala. Currently the second synchronized survey was conducted in 177 survey blocks of 14 Nilgiri Tahr holding forest divisions in Tamil Nadu for four days from 24th to 27th April, 2025.
The survey was conducted in the month of April, coinciding with the sightings of both mothers and young within the population. The Nilgiri Tahr young one is born between December and January. Hence, the April month is ideal for sighting of adult female and young, and the environmental conditions is favourable with greater visibility.
The second synchronized survey of Nilgiri Tahr report release program was held at Guindy Children's Park, Chennai on 05.08.2025. This program was chaired by the Hon'ble Forest Minister. Thiru R.S. Rajakannappan. The Hon'ble Forest Minister has released the survey report. Tmt. Supriya Sahu, I.A.S., Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forest has delivered the keynote address. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Thiru. Rakesh Kumar Dogra, L.F.S. delivered the welcome address. Dr. Yash Veer Bhatnagar - IUCN Country Representative has delivered special address to the gathering. The Project Director, Project Nilgiri Tahr has delivered the highlights of the report to the gathering.
Hon'ble Forest Minister Thiru. R.S. Rajakannappan spoke about the importance of Nilgiri Tahr, Tamil Nadu state animal. He highlighted the Nilgiri Tahr's role in Grassland and water conservation. He stated that "A Government order has been issued for the formation of Scientific Committee with involvement of international and national level experts". The formation of the committee is the most crucial step for the effective execution of Project Nilgiri Tahr on par with international standards. He also reported that protecting the Tahr is not only the duty of the Forest Department, but also the responsibility of all people.
Tmt. Supriya Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, stated that initial steps have been taken to establish a Conservation Centre in Coimbatore. The government order for land allocation has been issued. She also discussed the Nilgiri Tahr as referenced in Tamil Sangam literature, highlighted key findings from the Second Synchronized Nilgiri Tahr Survey, and outlined future plans for the species' conservation. Thiru, Srinivas Reddy, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), explained the methods used in the Second Synchronized Survey and the use of new technologies in the process. Thiru. Rakesh Kumar Dogra, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, spoke about the possibilities of captive breeding program for the Nilgiri Tahr. Finally, Thiru. M.G. Ganesan, Project Director of Project Nilgiri Tahr, delivered the vote of thanks.
The key highlights of Second Synchronized Survey are
1. The second synchronized survey report of the Nilgiri Tahr was released in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department. In this event, Thiru A. K. Saseendran, Honourable Forest and Wildlife Protection Minister of Kerala, and Dr. Pramod G. Krishnan, IFS, APCCF & CWLW, Kerala Forest Department participated in the program online.
2. The second synchronized survey was conducted in 177 survey blocks. This year 36 more survey blocks were added into the survey as compared to 2024 survey. Total distance covered during this survey by foot was 3126km with 786 dedicated field staffs.
3. The total estimated population of Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Nadu was 1303 numbers. Among them, the fragmented habitat population in 163 blocks is 687 individuals and the population in large contiguous landscape comprising 14 blocks is 616 numbers.
4. The Grass hills National Park and Mukurthi National Park together have (616) 47.3% of Nilgiri Tahr population in Tamil Nadu.
5. Kodaikanal division was newly added this year for the survey. It is a historic division for the Nilgiri Tahr and prominent Ibex hills are coming under this division.
6. A comprehensive datasheet has been designed for the survey as booklet format and distributed to 177 survey blocks. In fragmented population area, the Bounded count method is followed. Both Bounded count and Double observer method is followed large contiguous landscape adjoining with the Kerala Forest area. Along with this survey, Sample collection, Threat assessment and scientific field observation has been done. For that necessary datasheets have been printed and distributed to all divisions.
7. Second synchronized survey is synchronized with the survey of Eravikulam National Park and other parts of Kerala state where tahr present.
8. A total of 315 samples (Camivore-44 and Nilgiri Tahr-271) were collected for faecal samples analysis. Samples are being processed in TANUVAS for parasite identification, assessment parasitic load, and understand the role of parasites in prey-predator interaction, etc.
9. Training and capacity building for the frontline field staff were given from April 15-20 of 2025 in all 14-tahr holding division.
10. For the survey, the external experts from AIWC, IUCN-India, TANUVAS and WWF-India have participated in the survey.
11. Threat assessment is one of the major aspects of the survey is included to assess the threats faced by the Nilgiri Tahr and other influencing factors.
12. Southern most survey block in Tamil Nadu is Thatchamalai (902m MSI), Kanyakumari. Northern most survey block is Thavalamalai (986m MSI), Ovalley range, Gudalur
division.
The Anamalai hills holds 42% of the total population of Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Nadu, whereas Nilgiris landscape holds 30% of the population, which reflects the occurrence of meta population in two well-protected areas namely Grass Hills National Park and Mukurthi National Park.
Only one lump affected Nilgiri Tahr individual was documented at the Western Catchment 11 of Mukurthi National Park during the survey. The Nilgiri Tahr was documented in varying elevations ranging from 247 MSL to 2643 MSL.
The male to female ratio of Nilgiri Tahr was estimated to be 1:2, whereas female to young ratio was 2:1.
The results of the second synchronized survey of Nilgiri Tahr serve as the crucial data for conservation planning, understanding the ecological status of the animal management practices and highlighting the importance of extenuating protection measures. The periodic survey of Nilgiri Tahr also helps in understanding of population changes across the years.
