Kerala and Tamil Nadu will jointly carry out a Nilgiri Tahr census from April 24 to 27. The survey will span 89 census blocks in Kerala and 176 blocks in Tamil Nadu over the four-day period.
Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran, who announced the initiative, stated that the synchronised survey of the mountain ungulate is being conducted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Eravikulam National Park.
Both Kerala and Tamil Nadu’s Forest departments have begun preparations to conduct the census across the contiguous Nilgiri Tahr habitats, covering areas both inside and outside protected forest zones.
According to Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G. Krishnan, camera traps would be deployed and pellet samples collected from selected blocks for scientific analysis, including studies on genetic variation.
In Kerala, the 89 census blocks are located across 20 forest divisions, stretching from Thiruvananthapuram to Wayanad, regions known for their Nilgiri Tahr populations. Around 1,300 census team members, comprising experienced forest officials and trained wildlife volunteers, will participate in the survey. The data collected will be analysed using the ‘bounded count’ method to estimate the population in each block.
Pramod P.P., field director of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, has been appointed as the nodal officer for the census.
The Nilgiri Tahr, a vulnerable species endemic to the Western Ghats, is primarily found in the highlands of southern India. The Eravikulam National Park hosts the largest population of this species, making the region a major tourist attraction for visitors to Munnar.
Published – April 09, 2025 07:19 pm IST