The forest departments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have announced a collaborative initiative to conduct a joint census of the endangered Nilgiri tahr. Scheduled from April 24 to 27, 2025, the census will span key habitats across the Western Ghats where this species is typically found. The primary goal is to assess the current population and distribution of the Nilgiri tahr and aid conservation planning.
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About the Nilgiri Tahr
The Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is a mountain ungulate endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India. Recognized for its sturdy frame, curved horns, and preference for high-altitude grasslands, the tahr is currently listed as endangered due to habitat fragmentation, human disturbances, and poaching in the past. Its population is mainly concentrated in parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, especially within protected areas like Eravikulam National Park and Mukurthi National Park.
Details of the Census
This joint operation will include forest officials, wildlife experts, and trained volunteers from both states. The census will involve systematic surveys across elevations, with participants documenting sightings and recording physical characteristics and movement patterns. Officials will deploy both direct sighting and camera trap methods to ensure comprehensive data collection.
Kerala Forest Department’s Chief Wildlife Warden indicated that such surveys help monitor population trends, identify threats, and formulate policy actions. Tamil Nadu forest authorities also emphasized the importance of interstate collaboration for species that traverse administrative boundaries.
Technology and Strategy
Modern technology such as GPS mapping, drones, and data collection apps will support the census. Teams will be spread across zones pre-identified as tahr habitats. The effort will build on previous surveys and conservation reports and will feed data into a centralized monitoring system that tracks changes over time.
Conservation Significance
The Nilgiri tahr holds ecological and cultural significance in the region. It serves as an indicator of the health of high-altitude ecosystems. Experts believe that consistent monitoring, combined with community engagement and effective policy enforcement, is critical for its protection.
Both Kerala and Tamil Nadu have previously undertaken separate tahr conservation efforts. This unified approach is expected to set a precedent for similar collaborations for other species in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
By – Kartik
