Kerala & Tamil Nadu Unite for Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025

In a major collaborative conservation effort, the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are set to conduct a synchronised Nilgiri Tahr census from April 24 to 27, 2025. This joint operation is being undertaken to mark the 50th anniversary of Eravikulam National Park, home to the largest known population of the Nilgiri Tahr, a vulnerable and endemic species of the Western Ghats. With over 265 census blocks and 1,300 team members participating, this extensive exercise aims to scientifically estimate the Tahr population using modern methods like camera traps, pellet sample analysis, and the bounded count technique.

Key Highlights

Nilgiri Tahr Census 2025

• Joint Census Dates: April 24–27, 2025.
• States Involved: Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Purpose

• To commemorate 50 years of Eravikulam National Park.
• To monitor and estimate the population and distribution of the Nilgiri Tahr.

Census Coverage

• Kerala: 89 census blocks across 20 forest divisions, from Thiruvananthapuram to Wayanad.
• Tamil Nadu: 176 census blocks in Nilgiri Tahr habitats.
• Participants: Around 1,300 census members, including,
• Trained forest officials
• Wildlife volunteers
• Scientific Tools Used:
• Camera traps for direct photographic evidence.
• Pellet sample collection for genetic and dietary studies.
• Bounded count method for population estimation.
• Nodal Officer: Pramod P.P., Field Director of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, will coordinate Kerala’s operations.

Species Information

• Nilgiri Tahr is a vulnerable mountain ungulate.
• Endemic to the Western Ghats.
• Eravikulam National Park, located near Munnar, holds the largest population.

Ecological Importance

• The species is a key indicator of montane ecosystem health.
• Their conservation is crucial for sustaining high-altitude biodiversity.