To commemorate 50th anniversary of Eravikulam National Park, forest departments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu will carry out a synchronised Nilgiri Tahr census across their contiguous habitats in April 2025. This first-ever joint survey aims to generate robust population estimates for this endemic mountain ungulate.
Key Highlights
Joint Collaboration:
- Kerala and Tamil Nadu Forest Departments are coordinating the census across both protected and unprotected zones.
Survey Coverage:
- Kerala: 89 census blocks span 20 forest divisions—from Thiruvananthapuram to Wayanad.
- Tamil Nadu: 176 census blocks across its Nilgiri Tahr range.
Timeline & Teams:
- Conducted over four days in April 2025.
- Around 1,300 participants, including experienced forest officers and trained wildlife volunteers.
Data Analysis Method:
- ‘Bounded count’ approach to estimate population numbers per block.
- Camera traps and pellet sampling will supplement direct counts and enable genetic variation studies.
Methodology
| Component | Details |
| Counting Technique | Bounded count in predefined survey blocks |
| Camera Traps | Deployed to record presence, behavior |
| Pellet Sampling | Collected for DNA analysis |
| Team Composition | Forest officers + wildlife volunteers |
| Data Handling | Real-time entry, later collated centrally |
About Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius)
- Endemism: Only mountain ungulate endemic to southern India
- State Symbol: Official state animal of Tamil Nadu
- Primary Range: Southern Western Ghats—Eravikulam NP (Kerala), Mukurthi NP & Grass Hills NP (TN), Silent Valley & Agasthyamalai border ranges
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
Key Biological Features
- Habitat Elevation: 1,200–2,600 m (montane grasslands, shola forests, rocky outcrops)
- Diet: Herbivorous—graze on grasses and shrubs
- Behavior: Diurnal; highly sure-footed on steep slopes
- Sexual Dimorphism: Males larger with darker coat
Habitat & Distribution
| Region | Protected Areas |
| Kerala | Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley, Agasthyamalai |
| Tamil Nadu | Mukurthi National Park, Grass Hills National Park |
- Historical Range: Once spread over 400 km along the Western Ghats; now fragmented into isolated populations.
Project Nilgiri Tahr (2022–2027)
Objectives:
- Conduct scientific surveys
- Deploy radio telemetry for movement studies
- Reintroduce into suitable historical habitats
Recent Estimates:
- Tamil Nadu: ~1,229 individuals
- Kerala: ~827 individuals
Significance of 2025 Census
- Provides baseline data for adaptive conservation strategies.
- Informs habitat management and corridor planning to connect fragmented populations.
- Engages local communities and enhances awareness about this flagship species.
- Strengthens inter-state collaboration, setting a model for joint wildlife monitoring initiatives.