NILGIRI TAHR

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

Details:

• 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 and increase public awareness of the species
• The project is to be implemented for 5 year period from 2022 to 2027.

What is Nilgiri Tahr?

• It is an endangered species and the sole Caprinae species found in the tropical mountains of southern India.
• The animal inhabits meadows with steep cliffs at elevations between 300 metres and 2,600 metre above sea level.
• It is estimated that there are 3,122 Nilgiri Tahrs in the wild.
• Historically, the Nilgiri Tahr was known to inhabit a large portion of the Western Ghats.
• But today it remains restricted to a few scattered patches in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It has become locally extinct in around 14% of its traditional shola forest-grassland habitat.
• IUCN – Endangered, Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972 - Schedule I

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-government-sets-up-nilgiri-tahr-conservation-project/article66313586.ece