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| Preserving Nilgiri Tahr: Tamil Nadu's Conservation Drive |
The Tamil Nadu government is undertaking a comprehensive three-day survey to assess the population of the Nilgiri Tahr, the state's emblematic animal, which once roamed freely across the Anamalai and Nilgiris regions. The survey, conducted in collaboration with esteemed organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), aims to estimate the endangered species' population while employing advanced methodologies to ensure accuracy.
Key Collaborations and Methodologies:
- The survey is a joint effort between Tamil Nadu and leading conservation organizations, emphasizing the importance of collective action in preserving biodiversity.
- Tamil Nadu's habitats are segmented into 13 forest divisions, 100 forest beats, and 140 feasible blocks, with particular attention given to areas along the Kerala border.
- Methodologies include the bounded-count method across all areas and the double observer method in large contiguous landscapes hosting significant populations, such as Grass Hills National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Silent Valley National Park, and Eravikulam National Park.
Project Nilgiri Tahr:
- The survey results will serve as foundational data for Project Nilgiri Tahr, which aims to stabilize the species' population by addressing various threats and potentially reintroducing them to historic habitats like the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
- The project encompasses nine key components, including biennial synchronised surveys, habitat restoration, disease management, radio tracking, and eco-tourism.
Facts about Nilgiri Tahr:
- Nilgiri Tahr, an indigenous mountain ungulate of the Western Ghats, is classified as endangered by the IUCN and protected under India's Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching, and competition with domestic livestock pose significant threats to the species.
- Nilgiri Tahrs thrive in montane grasslands and shola forests at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,600 meters, exhibiting social behaviors by living in herds led by adult females.
Conservation Initiatives:
- Besides the ongoing survey and Project Nilgiri Tahr, dedicated conservation efforts are in place. Eravikulam National Park in Kerala and Mukurthi National Park in Tamil Nadu have implemented stringent conservation measures to protect Nilgiri Tahr populations and their habitats.
- Additionally, captive breeding programs have been initiated in select zoos to maintain a viable population and support reintroduction endeavors.
- The collaboration between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, alongside the involvement of esteemed conservation organizations, underscores the significance of concerted efforts in safeguarding biodiversity within the Western Ghats.