Kerala and Tamil Nadu Unite for Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025

Context: Kerala and Tamil Nadu have decided to carry out a joint population survey for Nilgiri Tahr.

About Nilgiri Tahr

• Nilgiri Tahr is a mountain goat endemic to the Western Ghats of India. It is locally known as “Varayadu” in Tamil and Malayalam.
• It is the only mountain ungulate in southern India amongst the 12 species present in India.
  • Ungulate: A herbivorous hoofed mammal. E.g. cow, sheep, horse.

• Nilgiri Tahr is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
• Habitat: Prefers montane grasslands (Shola-grassland ecosystem) at elevations of 1,200–2,600 meters.
• Eravikulam National Park has the highest density and largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr.
• A grown-up male of Nilgi Tahr is known as Saddle Back. (Due to light coloured patch on their back)
• Horn Rings: Its age is determined by counting the growth rings on its horns, which form annually, similar to tree rings.

Conservation Status

• IUCN – Endangered
• WPA, 1972 – Schedule 1
• CITES – Appendix 1

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