India’s first Nilgiri Tahr project

About the project-

• Under the project, the 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 from 2022 to 2027.
• Furthermore, October 7 will be celebrated as ‘Niligiri Tahr Day’ in honour of E.R.C. Davidar, who was responsible for pioneering one of the first studies of the species in 1975.
• The funds for the project are to be provided by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. 
• The project will be headed by a Project Director, who will be assisted by an Assistant Director. 
• The team will include senior scientists, research fellows and field staff.

About Nilgiri Tahr-

• Also known as Nilgiri Ibex, the Nilgiri tahr (nilgiritragus hylocrius) inhabits montane grasslands with rocky cliffs at elevations.
• It  is a sure-footed ungulate and it is the only mountain ungulate in southern India amongst the 12 species present in India.
• The Adult males of NilgiriTahr species develop a light gray area or “saddle” on their backs and are hence called “Saddlebacks”.
• It is 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.
• Some of the challenges in the conservation of the Nilgiri Tahrs are potential local extinction due to highly fragmented populations; invasion of exotic species into the habitat; forest fires; over-exploitation of forest resources; and lack of ecological data and understanding.
• Locally known as Varaiaadu, the tahr has been an endangered species and is protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972.
•  It has been listed as “Endangered” by IUCN.
• There are multiple references to the Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Sangam literature dating back to 2,000 years. 
• The late Mesolithic (10,000-4,000 BC) paintings highlight the significance of the Tahr in folklore, culture and life. 
• It was designated as the State animal  of Tamil Nadu in recognition of its ecological and cultural significance.