Latest news with #ProjectNilgiriTahr
NDTV
5 days ago
- General
- NDTV
In Conservation Win, Tamil Nadu State Animal Nilgiri Tahr's Numbers Shoot Up
Chennai: In a major conservation success story from the Western Ghats, the endangered Nilgiri Tahr - Tamil Nadu's state animal - has shown a significant rise in numbers. The Second Synchronized Survey of Nilgiri Tahr conducted in April 2025 has estimated 2,655 individuals across Tamil Nadu and Kerala - a substantial increase from the 2024 estimate of 2,383. Led by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department under the ambitious Project Nilgiri Tahr, this year's survey recorded 1,303 Nilgiri Tahrs in Tamil Nadu and 1,352 in Kerala, marking one of the highest combined population estimates in decades. "This is not just a count. It's a confirmation that targeted conservation, rooted in science and supported by political will, works," said Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests. The large-scale survey spanned 14 forest divisions, 43 forest ranges and 177 survey blocks, including 36 newly-added habitats. It involved 786 trained personnel, integrating modern tools such as drone reconnaissance, GIS mapping and the Double Observer and Bounded Count methodologies to ensure accurate and repeatable results. Key Highlights Sex ratio stands at 49 males per 100 females, while the young-to-female ratio is 50 to 100 - indicating healthy reproduction. New sightings were recorded in low elevation zones like Peyanar (270m), the lowest ever recorded habitat for the species. Mukurthi and Grass Hills National Parks remain core habitats, while fragmented and recolonised landscapes in Kodaikanal, Theni, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari offered fresh hope for species expansion. Crucially, this year's survey included a new threat assessment module, documenting the challenges Nilgiri Tahrs face - habitat fragmentation, invasive species, forest fires and human encroachment. Launched by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in October 2023, Project Nilgiri Tahr has rapidly evolved into one of India's most ambitious single-species recovery programs. It includes shola grassland restoration, radio-collaring for tracking, disease diagnostics and plans for captive breeding and reintroduction into lost habitats. With the declaration of October 7 as Nilgiri Tahr Day to honour conservation pioneer ERC Davidar, the state continues to blend science, tradition and stewardship to protect this iconic mountain ungulate. "Protecting the Nilgiri Tahr is protecting the soul of the Western Ghats," said Project Director MG Ganesan, adding that the findings will now guide future adaptive conservation strategies.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu records 1,303 Nilgiri Tahrs in second synchronised survey
Tamil Nadu has recorded an estimated 1,303 Nilgiri Tahrs in the second annual synchronised population survey conducted in April 2025, done in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department. The survey report was released on Tuesday by Forests Minister R.S. Rajakannappan, alongside Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, Srinivas R. Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), and Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden, and Yash Veer Bhatnagar, country representative (India) of International Union for Conservation of Nature, at the Guindy National Park. At the same event, the Kerala Forest Department also released its corresponding report on the Nilgiri Tahr population within its jurisdiction. Kerala's Minister for Forest and Wildlife Protection, A.K. Saseendran, and Pramod G. Krishnan, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of Kerala, joined the launch virtually. This year's synchronised survey covered 177 blocks in Tamil Nadu — 36 more than in 2024. A total of 3,126 kilometres were covered on foot by 786 dedicated field staff. 'Tamil Nadu's estimated Nilgiri Tahr population has increased to 1,303, up from 1,031 recorded the previous year. This does not imply a population increase but rather a higher rate of observed encounters,' said M.G. Ganesan, Project Director of Project Nilgiri Tahr. Out of the total, 616 individuals — which makes up almost half of the population at 47.3 percent — were found in large, contiguous habitats across 14 blocks. The Grass Hills National Park and Mukurthi National Park are the primary strongholds, with Grass Hills recording 334 Tahrs (up from 276 in 2024) and Mukurthi showing 282 individuals (up from 203 last year). The remaining 687 Tahrs, comprising 53 percent of the population, were found in fragmented habitats spread across 163 blocks, including areas intersected by roads and tea estates. The survey also observed an estimated 155 Nilgiri Tahrs forming a transit population moving towards Kerala's Eravikulam National Park. Notably, this year's survey included a detailed threat assessment for the first time, which is set to provide insight into the conservation challenges faced by the species. Mr. Bhatnagar said that understanding movement ecology was extremely important. 'Ecology is not just about calculating home range sizes for males, females, or juveniles within a population. It involves understanding the actual routes animals take across a landscape — how they use different types of habitats, the seasonal patterns in their movement, and the environmental features that influence their paths. The survey was carried out with the support of IUCN, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Animal Welfare Board of India (AIWC), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
United News of India
6 days ago
- General
- United News of India
TN has 1,303 Nilgiri Tahr
Chennai, Aug 5 (UNI) Tamil Nadu a total population of 1,303 Nilgiri Tahr according to a report released today after the Second Synchronized Survey of Nilgiri Tahr. 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 Chief Minister M K Stalin on October 12, 2023 with an 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 on 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 April 24 to 27, 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 was released at Guindy Children's Park here today. Tamil Nadu Forest Minister R.S. Rajakannappan released the survey report in the presence of Ms Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forest, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Dr. Yash Veer Bhatnagar - IUCN Country Representative, among others. The second synchronized survey report of the Nilgiri Tahr was released in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department. In this event, A. Forest and Wildlife Protection Minister of Kerala, participated in the program online. MORE UNI GV 1730
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.
