The Tamil Nadu government, on 28 December, issued an order sanctioning the ‘Project Nilgiri Tahr” with a cost of Rs. 25.14 crore.
Key points
- This is India’s first Nilgiri Tahr project to conserve the State animal of Tamil Nadu.
- In the 2022-2023 Tamil Nadu Budget, the Finance Minister had announced that “for the conservation of Tamil Nadu’s State animal, expansion of its habitat and to spread awareness among the public, the government will implement ‘Project Nilgiri Tahr’” with an initial alloc- ation of Rs. 10 crore.
- Project Nilgiri Tahr aims to restore the fragmented habitat, especially the Shola grasslands where it thrives, reintroduce the Tahr population in its historic habitat, and ensure that proper re- habilitation facilities are provided.
- The project will have nine components, including bi- annual synchronised surveys across the division, diagnosis and treatment for affected animals, and Shola grassland restoration pilot in Upper Bhavani.
- The Nilgiri Tahr is the only mountain ungulate in Southern India among the 12 species present in India.
- Its population has been estimated at 3,122.
- The animal used to be found along the entire stretch of Western Ghats, but in small fragmented pockets.
- A large part of its population has been wiped out from its historical range.
- The existing populations are under severe stress due to habitat loss and hunting.
- This endemic species of the Western Ghats is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972.
