Latest news with #ProjectNilgiriTahr
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Traditional Nilgiri tahr habitats in Coimbatore Forest Division show signs of population revival
The traditional habitats of the enigmatic Nilgiri tahr in the Coimbatore Forest Division have shown signs of potential revival of their population as per the observations in the recently concluded synchronised census of the State animal. Five Nilgiri tahrs were sighted by enumerators at Periyattumalai in Madukkarai forest range limits during the estimation, after a gap of over a decade. Pellets of Nilgiri tahr were found in other traditional habitats, namely Kunjiramudi in Boluvampatti forest range and Kurudi Malai that is spread across Boluvampatti and Coimbatore ranges. For the study 'Status and Distribution of the Nilgiri Tahr in the Western Ghats' published in 2015, the WWF-India surveyed Chinnattumalai, Kunjiramudi, Vellingiri hills and Kurudi Malai in Coimbatore division. Tahr presence was observed in Chinnattumalai (two animals sighted) and Kunjra Mudi (pellets). 'The survey was conducted in 2010 and two individuals were sighted at Chinnattumalai. Though we went to the location a few more times, no direct sighting could be made as they moved to the Kerala side,' said Paul Peter Predit from WWF-India, who was part of the study. Chinnattumalai and Periyattumalai are contiguous forests and tahrs are believed to be moving between the two habitats, besides foraging in the Kerala side. 'The recent sighting at Periyattumalai is promising as tahr presence has been reconfirmed after the gap of over a decade. Frequent monitoring and use of technologies like drones will help in generating more details of their habitat and population trend,' added Mr. Predit. The tahr population in Coimbatore division is largely regarded as Siruvani hills population, which have more genetic similarities with the population that is found in the north of the Palakkad gap of the Western Ghats. M.G. Ganesan, Project Director of the government's Project Nilgiri Tahr, said that this year's survey was expected to generate more insights about the State animal as 'threats assessment' had been added as a new section. 'It will give us more inputs to understand the habitat landscapes of tahrs,' he said.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Nilgiri tahrs recover lost habitats in Tamil Nadu: Survey
Nilgiri tahr UDHAGAMANDALAM: Nilgiri tahrs have been sighted in Periyattumalai in Coimbatore division after a decade, according to the second synchronized survey of Nilgiri tahrs in Tamil Nadu which concluded on Sunday. Also, new colonization was confirmed in the Pasumalai block in Chinnamanur range in the Megamalai division, an indication of habitat recovery . Under the Project Nilgiri Tahr (launched in 2023), the four-day synchronized survey of Nilgiri tahr -- the state animal -- was conducted in 176 survey blocks of 14 forest divisions across the state. Herds were sighted with kids, according to a press release. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The survey included the collection of tahr pellets for parasitic and carnivore's scat for understanding the parasitic species presence and its life cycle in association with Nilgiri tahr. Seven tahrs were sighted in the lowest elevation (240 m MSL) survey block in Peyanar Varaiyattu Mottai. This is one of the finest cliff and escarpment terrain blocks where tahr is using a dry thorny landscape. 'In the Mangaladevi survey block in Megamalai division, where the species was believed to have moved out, pellets of tahrs were recorded. Thus, the presence of the species is ascertained with evidence,' said M G Ganesan, project director, Project Nilgiri Tahr, who led the survey. The collected pellets and carnivore scat samples in ethanol vials are to be sent for laboratory analysis, especially parasitic analysis in the Wildlife Division at TANUVAS (Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University). Good population was sighted at Grass Hills National Park in Valparai and Mukurthi National Park in the Nilgiris. These two meta populations are vital for maintaining these fragile grasslands, said Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, department of environment, climate change and forest. She said, 'Pavetta oblanceolate, a critically endangered flora species, was recorded in Anamalai during the survey.' Ganesan said, 'After digitization, processing and interpretation of data will be done with research personnel and experts'. Experts from TANUVAS, project scientists and a team from WWF participated in the survey with 800 field staffers covering a 2,000km distance.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Second synchronised survey of Nilgiri Tahr concludes; sightings in former habitats indicate population recovery, says forest department
The second synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, Tamil Nadu's State animal, has concluded successfully, according to a press release issued by the Environment, Climate Change & Forests Department. Conducted under the ongoing Project Nilgiri Tahr, the large-scale survey was completed on April 27 across 176 survey blocks in 14 forest divisions. Nearly 800 field staff were deployed, collectively covering around 2,000 kilometres of challenging terrain. According to the release, Nilgiri Tahr were sighted in most survey blocks, with encouraging signs of breeding, as many herds included kids and young individuals. A particularly notable observation came from the Periyattumalai area in the Coimbatore division, where Nilgiri Tahr were once again spotted after being rediscovered there last year following a decade-long absence, the release said. Similarly, sightings in the newly colonised Pasumalai block in the Chinnamanur range of the Megamalai division indicated healthy habitat recovery. Notably, seven of the ungulates were sighted at even the lowest elevation, just 240 metres above sea level, in the Peyanar Varaiyattu Mottai block — a dry, thorny escarpment terrain. The survey also recorded pellets in the Mangaladevi block of Megamalai division, where the species was previously thought to have moved out. As part of the survey, field teams collected Nilgiri Tahr pellet samples and carnivore scat for parasitic analysis. These samples are being prepared for detailed laboratory study at the Wildlife Division of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS). The goal, the department said, is to understand parasitic species and their life cycles in association with the Tahr. Populations were reported to be especially healthy in the Grass Hills and Mukurthi National Parks — two critical habitats considered key for the survival of the species. Photo documentation from these areas supports the continued importance of these ecosystems. The survey was led by M. G. Ganesan, Project Director; Ganeshram, Assistant Director; Chendura Sundaresan, Forest Range Officer, along with research personnel and experts from TANUVAS and WWF India. Top officials including IUCN country representative Yash Veer Bhatnagar, Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra monitored the survey.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Second synchronised estimation of Nilgiri tahr to cover 36 new blocks
The second annual synchronised estimation of Nilgiri tahr in Tamil Nadu and Kerala that begins on Thursday, April 24, will cover 36 new blocks in addition to the 140 blocks surveyed last year. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is considering the second consecutive survey a significant exercise as it will generate vital data on the population trend of the State animal. The annual survey, which is one of the key components of the Project Nilgiri Tahr launched by Tamil Nadu in October 2023, will cover a total of 176 blocks in 14 forest divisions that are home to the mountain ungulate, in four days. According to Supriya Sahu, Secretary of Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, this year's survey has expanded coverage, and the 36 new blocks include Kodaikanal division. The survey spans 2,000 km of terrain, covering an estimated 233 sq. km reaching Ashambu Mottai in Kanniyakumari and Thavalamalai in the northernmost area in the Nilgiris. 'This massive effort not only strengthens the conservation blueprint for the Nilgiri Tahr but also sets a national benchmark for wildlife conservation with modern science,' she posted on 'X' on Wednesday, after taking part in an orientation session held for Department staff in Coimbatore. The first survey held last year generated the baseline data on the endangered species, with an estimated population of 1,031 individuals in Tamil Nadu and 827 in Eravikulam National Park in Kerala. As the census is being done in the post-calving season, enumerators will be able to spot adult Nilgiri tahrs with the young ones. The enumerators will follow the bounded count method in fragmented areas and the double observer method in large continuous landscapes. They will also collect faecal samples of carnivores to assess parasitic loads in tahrs.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
TN considers captive breeding of state animal Nilgiri tahr to ensure its long-term survival
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu forest department is considering captive breeding of the Nilgiri tahr, which is the state animal, to ensure long-term survivability. With the species now confined largely to two meta-populations in Grass Hills National Park and Mukurthi National Park, officials see scientific breeding as a critical strategy for long-term survival. A comprehensive four-day synchronised survey of the Nilgiri tahr begins on April 24, covering Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra, speaking at the survey's launch in Coimbatore, said: "When I was DFO in Ooty, we did preliminary work and identified a site for captive breeding, but the project never materialised. Now, it's imperative we pursue scientific captive breeding," Dogra told The New Indian Express . "This will support our relocation efforts. The Advanced Institute of Wildlife Conservation is assessing habitat suitability, and captive-bred tahrs can be integrated with wild populations to repopulate suitable habitats," he added. The survey, flagged off by Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Supriya Sahu, involves multiple teams traversing 176 blocks in Tamil Nadu -- up from 140 last year due to new tahr sightings. Kerala will simultaneously survey 89 blocks. Sahu said, "Captive breeding, backed by scientific expertise and partnerships with Indian and international institutions, is a path we must explore to ensure the Nilgiri tahr's survival." Yash Veer Bhatnagar, IUCN country representative, told TNIE the revival of the Przewalski's horse and Arabian oryx are examples of successful captive breeding. "Przewalski's horses, the world's only wild horse species, went extinct in the wild. Pure breeds from Western zoos were used for captive breeding, and today, they thrive in Mongolia. The Arabian oryx followed a similar path," he said. The survey employs advanced methods like the bounded count and double observer techniques, tailored for fragmented and contiguous habitats near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. It includes threat assessments, carnivore faecal sampling, and field observations, with specially designed datasheets for accuracy. Field staff underwent training from April 15 to 20. Experts from IUCN-India, the Wildlife Institute of India, and Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University support this effort, spanning 233 from Ashambu Mottai to Thavalamalai. In January, a field team in Peyyanar Varaiyattu Mottai, Courtallam range of Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary, recorded direct tahr sightings -- the first in decades. The team also collected fresh tahr pellets, now under analysis at the Advanced Institute of Wildlife Conservation for faecal parasites and DNA to study population genetics. "The Varaiyattu Mottai habitat, with moist mixed-deciduous forests, bamboo, teak, cliffs, and rocky outcrops, is ideal for the tahr, which thrives in grassy, rugged terrains," said MG Ganesan, Director of Project Nilgiri Tahr. "This data will help us understand the population's health and genetic diversity," he added. Last year's survey estimated Tamil Nadu's tahr population at 1,031, with 552 in fragmented habitats and 479 in contiguous landscapes. Combined with Kerala's 827 tahrs, the total was 1,858. Launched by Chief Minister MK Stalin in October 2023, Project Nilgiri Tahr aims to reverse these losses through surveys, grassland restoration, and invasive species control, offering hope for the species' survival.
