Nilgiri Tahr Survey started by Tamil Nadu along with IUCN as observer

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 29-04-2024

Nilgiri Tahr Survey started by Tamil Nadu along with IUCN as observer

Place in News 5 min read

The government of Tamil Nadu has launched a three-day survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, the state animal. The aim of this survey is to better understand and conserve this endangered species.

The survey is being carried out in collaboration with organizations such as the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Nilgiri Tahr is an endemic species that is listed as endangered, and it faces numerous challenges such as habitat loss and poaching.
Conservation initiatives, such as those in the Eravikulam and Mukurthi National Parks, along with captive breeding programmes, highlight the multi-faceted approach required for the effective conservation of this endangered animal and its habitat.
The effective conservation of Nilgiri Tahrs requires collaboration between different stakeholders, including state governments, conservation organizations, and research institutions.
By pooling resources, expertise, and knowledge, these collaborative efforts can address the complex challenges facing the species and its habitat.

Nilgiri Tahr

The Nilgiri Tahr is a stunning mountain ungulate that can only be found in the Western Ghats of India.
This iconic species is endemic to the southern regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, as well as the Nilgiri Hills and the Eastern Ghats. These ungulates can be found in rugged mountainous terrain, ranging from 1,200 to 2,600 meters, which is characterized by montane grasslands and shola forests.
The Nilgiri Tahr, a mountain-dwelling ungulate native to the Western Ghats of India, is currently listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 it is also protected. This designation underscores the severe threats faced by the species and emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts.
The principal threats to Nilgiri Tahr populations are habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities such as deforestation, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Additionally, poaching and competition with domestic livestock further exacerbate their vulnerability.

IUCN

IUCN is the leading global authority on the status of the natural world and the actions necessary to protect it.
Established in 1948, IUCN has grown to become the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network.
Member organizations are part of a democratic process, where they discuss and approve Resolutions that lay the groundwork for the global conservation agenda. Members convene every four years at the IUCN World Conservation Congress to identify priorities and agree on the Union's work programme.
IUCN congresses have been instrumental in producing several key international environmental agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the World Heritage Convention.
Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland.