Nilgiri Tahr Conservation Project

Recently, the Tamil Nadu government launched an initiative for the conservation of the Nilgiri Tahr at Rs 25 crore.

About the project –

• Under The Nilgiri Tahr project, the Tamil Nadu government plans to —
  • • Develop a better understanding of the Nilgiri Tahr population through surveys and radio telemetry studies
    • Reintroduce the Tahrs to their historical habitat
    • Address proximate threats
    • Increase public awareness of the species
• The project is to be implemented for 5 year period from 2022 to 2027.

What is Nilgiri Tahr?

• Nilgiri Tahr is the only Caprinae species found in the tropical mountains of southern India.
• Habitat — They are endemic to the Western Ghats and used to inhabit a large part of the Western Ghats between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• Conservation Status — IUCN – Endangered + Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972 – Schedule I.