Chennai, June 6 (IANS) Tamil Nadu’s conservation initiatives for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr have recorded encouraging gains, with the latest synchronised survey estimating the population of the state animal at 1,364 in 2026.

The figure marks a 4.68 per cent increase from last year’s count of 1,303 and an overall rise of more than 32 per cent compared to 2024, indicating the success of sustained habitat protection and monitoring measures.

The findings of the third synchronised Nilgiri Tahr survey were released by Forests Minister R.V. Ranjithkumar and Environment Minister Dr V.K. Rajeev.

Conducted between April 24 and 27, the survey covered 177 survey blocks across 126 forest beats in 43 forest ranges spanning all 14 Nilgiri Tahr-bearing forest divisions in the state.

The exercise was carried out in coordination with the Kerala Forest Department and involved frontline forest personnel, wildlife scientists and independent observers.

Officials said the large-scale survey provided a comprehensive assessment of the species across its known habitats in the Western Ghats. According to the report, the Anamalai Hills remain the strongest refuge for the Nilgiri Tahr, accounting for 44.87 per cent of the state’s total population. The Nilgiris landscape supported another 29.25 per cent, highlighting the critical role of high-altitude grassland ecosystems in the species’ survival.

The survey recorded Nilgiri Tahr across an elevation range of 270 metres to 2,630 metres above mean sea level. The male-to-female ratio was estimated at 55:100.

Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Supriya Sahu, said the increase reflected the impact of focused conservation measures implemented under Project Nilgiri Tahr. She noted that the population could have been even higher if not for the forest fires that affected parts of the species’ habitat.

Protecting grasslands and preventing fires would remain vital for ensuring the animals’ long-term survival, she added.

Officials also highlighted the deployment of the Android-based ‘VARUDAI’ mobile application during the survey, allowing real-time transmission of field observations and improving the accuracy of data collection.

The state government simultaneously released findings from its annual synchronised bird surveys, which documented 393 bird species with an estimated population of 6.01 lakh.

The terrestrial bird survey recorded 391 species and around 2.24 lakh birds, while Tamil Nadu’s first comprehensive raptor assessment documented 5,712 sightings of birds of prey.

The Environment Department also launched the country’s first state-level Standard Operating Procedure for Cool Roof Coating Application, an initiative aimed at mitigating rising urban heat and improving climate resilience across Tamil Nadu.

–IANS

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