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Nilgiri Tahr |
Introduction :
- The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius, formerly Hemitragus hylocrius) is a wild goat species found in the southern part of the Western Ghats.
About Nilgiri Tahr
- Its color is brown or black.
- According to a 2015 World Wildlife Fund for Nature assessment, there may be about 3,122 Nilgiri Tahr.
- Its scientific name: Nilgiritragus hylocrius.
- It is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
Distribution:
- It is found mainly in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats of Southern India, in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
- Found in an area of about 400 km in the Western Ghats.
Habitat:
- Nilgiri Tahr inhabits mountain grasslands and shrublands at an altitude of 2,000 to 2,600 meters above sea level.
Physical Features:
- Adult males usually weigh about 100 to 140 kg, while females weigh about 20 to 30% less.
- Both males and females have horns bent backward, with the male’s horns being longer and more heavily protruding.
Diet:-
- Mainly herbivorous, eats grass, leaves, and herbs.
Reproduction:-
- Their breeding season is from August to October.
- Females give birth to a single baby after a gestation period of about six months.
Conservation Status
IUCN Status:-
- Classified as “Endangered” in the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, and hunting.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:
- Listed in Schedule I, giving it the highest level of protection under Indian law.
Conservation Efforts:-
- Conservation efforts include habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, and captive breeding programs.
- Formal conservation efforts for the Nilgiri tahr began in the early 1980s with the establishment of major protected areas such as the Eravikulam National Park in Kerala.
Nilgiri Tahr Conservation Project:
- The Tamil Nadu government launched the project for the conservation of the Nilgiri tahr in 2022 for Rs 25.14 crore.
What is included:
- Tranquilisation and monitoring of tahrs.
- Reintroduction and monitoring of Nilgiri tahr to their historical habitat.
- Bi-annual synchronized surveys in divisions.
Threats:-
- The Nilgiri Tahr faces several threats such as:
- Habitat loss due to deforestation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
- Poaching for meat.
- Illegal trade of body parts.
- Competition with domestic livestock for resources.
Ecological Importance:-
- Nilgiri Tahr plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitat by controlling vegetation growth through grazing and browsing.
- Eravikulam National Park in the Annamalai Hills of Kerala is home to a population of over 700 Nilgiri Tahr.