T.N. launches third synchronised Nilgiri Tahr survey across Western Ghats
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Context
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department, in close coordination with Kerala, has initiated the third synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr across the Western Ghats. Conducted under , this joint inter-state exercise aims to accurately estimate the population of the endangered ungulate while actively preventing the duplicate counting of herds that move across state borders.
UPSC Perspectives
Environmental
The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is a rare mountain ungulate (hoofed mammal) endemic exclusively to the southern portions of the Western Ghats. Recognized as the State Animal of Tamil Nadu, it acts as an ecological indicator species for the region's high-altitude montane grasslands and shola forests (stunted tropical montane evergreen forests). From a Prelims perspective, it is crucial to remember that the animal is classified as Endangered on the . Furthermore, it is accorded the highest level of legal protection in India under Schedule I of the . The largest contiguous population globally is found in Kerala's , followed closely by in Tamil Nadu. The species currently faces severe stress due to habitat fragmentation (breaking up of continuous natural habitats), the spread of invasive flora like wattle, and climate change, making annual population monitoring essential.
Governance
The synchronised nature of this inter-state census highlights a critical administrative concept: cooperative federalism applied to ecological conservation. Wildlife and forest habitats exist as continuous ecological corridors across the Western Ghats, entirely oblivious to the political borders separating Tamil Nadu and Kerala. When adjoining states conduct independent, uncoordinated wildlife censuses at different times, it frequently results in the double-counting of nomadic herds that migrate back and forth across state lines. A synchronised, transboundary approach eliminates this statistical duplication, yielding highly accurate demographic data required for evidence-based policymaking. For UPSC Mains, this serves as an excellent contemporary case study of how inter-state coordination resolves jurisdictional limitations in the management of shared natural resources.
Policy
The ongoing survey is a core component of , a pioneering five-year initiative launched by the Tamil Nadu government in 2022. This scheme represents India's first dedicated state-level conservation program for a wild mammal, drawing conceptual inspiration from successful national efforts like . The project extends well beyond mere population counting; it employs modern scientific tools like radio telemetry (using radio signals to track animal movements) and real-time data collection applications to precisely map the ungulate's home range. Additionally, the policy mandates the ecological restoration of degraded shola-grassland ecosystems by systematically removing invasive commercial plantations. It also actively explores the reintroduction of the species into historically occupied but currently abandoned pockets of the Western Ghats, thereby building long-term genetic resilience for the fragile population.