Nilgiri Tahr population rises to 1,364 in Tamil Nadu, 4.68% rise over '25

📌 Summary:

• Tamil Nadu's third synchronised Nilgiri Tahr estimation (April 2026) put the population at ~1,364 individuals, a 4.68% rise over 2025; up from 1,303 (2025) and 1,031 (2024) — a positive recovery trend
• The Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered ungulate found exclusively in the sub-alpine grasslands of the Southern Western Ghats (Tamil Nadu and Kerala); it has the highest protection under the Wildlife Protection Act
• Pollachi Forest Division recorded the highest count (438), followed by Udhagai/Mudumalai (313) and Tiruppur (148); the Anamalai Hills hold 44.87% and the Nilgiris 29.25% of the state population
• Estimation done April 24-27, 2026 under Project Nilgiri Tahr across 14 forest divisions; data showed adult females 38.4%, adult males 34.6% (male-female ratio 55:100)
• Distribution stretches from Kanyakumari to the Nilgiri Hills but is now fragmented into scattered populations

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Environment (species conservation, Western Ghats ecology, state conservation projects, IUCN/Wildlife Protection Act)

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is Tamil Nadu's State Animal; endemic to Southern Western Ghats; IUCN: Endangered
• Project Nilgiri Tahr is a Tamil Nadu government initiative; population ~1,364 (2026)
• Anamalai Hills hold the largest share (44.87%); highest protection under Wildlife Protection Act

🔑 Key Term: Synchronised population estimation — counting a species simultaneously across all divisions to avoid double-counting of moving animals.