‘Project Nilgiri Tahr’ launched in Tamil Nadu

Consolidating efforts towards the conservation of Tamil Nadu’s State Animal, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday, October 12, 2023 launched the ‘Project Nilgiri Tahr’ from the Secretariat in Chennai. To get today’s top stories from the State in your inbox, subscribe to our Tamil Nadu Today newsletter The project with an outlay of ₹25 crore, aims to develop a better understanding of Nilgiri Tahr population, distribution and ecology, re-introduction of Nilgiri Tahr to their historic habitats, addressing proximate threat to Nilgiri Tahr, increasing awareness among the public about the Nilgiri Tahr species, developing eco-tourism activities at selected sites, among others. Bi-annual synchronised surveys across the divisions, tranquilisation, collaring and monitoring of Tahr Individuals, re-introduction and monitoring of Nilgiri Tahr, diagnosis and treatment for affected individuals, field gear and training support to staff and Shola grassland restoration pilot in Upper Bhavani are among the activities planned in the project which has a budget outlay of ₹25 crore, an official release said. Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered species endemic to the Western Ghats known for their “gravity-defying skills” in climbing steep cliff, it said.