The Nilgiri Tahr population in the state increases to 1,364, the survey found

The population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, Tamil Nadu’s state animal, has risen to an estimated 1,364, according to the third synchronized population survey jointly conducted by the Tamil Nadu and Kerala forest departments.

The estimate represents a 4.68% increase from the 1,303 animals recorded in 2025 and a 32% increase from the 1,031 estimated during the first synchronized survey in 2024.

The findings were released by Forest Minister RV Ranjith Kumar and Environment Minister VK Rajeev on Friday. Along with the Nilgiri Tahr report, they also released the state-level Synchronized Wetland Birds Survey 2026, State-level Synchronized Terrestrial Birds Survey 2026 and Tamil Nadu State-wide Raptor Assessment Report.

The survey was carried out as part of the Nilgiri Tahr Project, a flagship conservation initiative to secure the future of the endemic mountain ungulate found only in the Western Ghats. It was conducted from April 24 to 27 in 177 survey blocks covering all 14 forest divisions in Tamil Nadu. It covered 43 forest belts and 124 forest sections across the Western Ghats.

The exercise involved 858 personnel, including forest officers, frontline personnel, scientists, researchers and veterinarians, who together covered 3,219 km of rugged mountain terrain.

For the first time, the Forest Department has used the mobile application ‘Varudai’ on the Android platform, which enables real-time transmission of field observations. The survey was conducted in coordination with institutions such as Kerala Forest Department, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)-India, Wildlife Institute of India, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-India, TANUVAS University, Wildlife Trust of India and Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation at Arignar Anna Zoological Park.

According to the report, there were an estimated 673 Nilgiri Tahrs in the two largest contiguous habitats — 360 in Grass Hills National Park in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve and 313 in Mukurthi National Park in the Nilgiris. The remaining 691 were recorded in fragmented habitats distributed in 13 forest divisions.

Among the fragmented landscape, Tiruppur division recorded the highest estimated population at 148 individuals, followed by Kalakad division with 115 and Pollachi division with 78. The report stated that Anamalai region alone accounted for 44.87% of the Nilgiri Tahr population in Tamil Nadu, while Nilgiris region had 29.25%.

Five station blocks

The researchers also documented Nilgiri Tahr in five habitat blocks where their presence was not confirmed during previous synchronized surveys.

Fresh sightings were recorded at Tiruvannamalai Mottai in Kalakad Division, Rasivarai in Tiruppur Division, Thoovanam Mottai in Megamalai Division and Kalaiyanputhur and Puramedu in Kodaikanal Division.

The survey found a male to female ratio of 55:100 and a female to young ratio of 100:66, indicating active breeding populations. This species has been recorded at a wide range of elevations, from about 270 meters above mean sea level to more than 2,630 meters.

The report said synchronized surveys conducted over the past three years indicate a steady population increase for the species and provide a strong scientific basis for long-term conservation planning, habitat restoration and management of fragmented populations.

Senior officials who attended the event include Supriya Sahu, Minister for Environment and Forests; Srinivas R. Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force); Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden; and A. Udhayan, director of the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation.

Published – 05 Jun 2026 23:59 IST