Kerala home to over half of global Nilgiri Tahr population, says 2025 report

Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Nilgiri Tahr continues to face pressures from habitat loss, poaching, infrastructure development, livestock grazing, and climate change.

he Nilgiri Tahr sighted in the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. [Kerala, Palakkad, Nilgiri Tahr, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve] Center-Center-Chennai

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is home to 1,365 Nilgiri Tahr, more than half of the species’ global population of 2,668, according to the ‘Synchronised Population Estimation of Nilgiri Tahr 2025’ report. The census, held in April across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, marks the most comprehensive effort yet to count the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.

Forest Minister A K Saseendran released the report by handing over the first copy to Rajesh Ravindran IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, at a function attended by senior forest officials and wildlife wardens.

Eravikulam National Park, which celebrated its 50th year of establishment this year, remains the stronghold of the species in Kerala, with 841 of them. In 2024, it was 827. The Munnar landscape alone supports nearly 90% of Kerala’s Tahr population. In Tamil Nadu, the major populations were recorded in Mukurthy and Grass Hills National Park, lying across the State border, highlighting the importance of interstate collaboration and unified Protected Area management.

The synchronised population estimation 2025 was conducted continuously for four days in 89 census blocks in Kerala and 182 census blocks in Tamil Nadu, the blocks having been decided to cover the entire Tahr habitats inside and outside Protected Areas in both the States.

In Kerala, the census exercise spanned 19 Forest Divisions, from Thiruvananthapuram to Wayanad, all reported to have the presence of Nilgiri Tahr. The use of standardised techniques such as the Bounded Count and Double Observer methods contributed to improved data reliability despite the challenging terrains.

The objective of the synchronised population estimation was also to map the current distribution of Tahr, identify its ecological threats, integrate camera trap data for improved accuracy, and recommend habitat-specific management strategies.

The survey also underscored the biodiversity richness of Tahr habitats, which host apex predators such as the Tiger, Leopard, and Dhole, as well as endemics like the Nilgiri Langur and Lion-tailed Macaque.

Key recommendations include interim surveys in critical habitats, boundary rationalisation, control of invasive species, protection of open grasslands, and scientific reintroductions. Long-term plans call for climate-resilient conservation, institutionalised monitoring, and improved community participation.

The report also highlights future research areas such as genetic diversity, behavioural ecology, and traditional ecological knowledge.

Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Nilgiri Tahr continues to face pressures from habitat loss, poaching, infrastructure development, livestock grazing, and climate change.

Officials called for a science-based and people-driven approach to ensure the survival of the species and the ecosystem it represents.