Annual Synchronised Nilgiri Tahr Survey To Begin From April 24

The state forest department is gearing up for the second annual synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, Tamil Nadu's endangered state animal, from April 24 to 27.

- SV KRISHNA CHAITANYA @Chennai

The survey will cover 176 blocks across 14 Tahr-holding forest divisions, an increase from last year's 140 blocks, with the historic Kodaikanal division — home to the iconic Ibex hills — among the 36 newly added areas.

Timed to coincide with the post-birthing season, the survey will enable researchers to observe mothers and their December-January newborns, offering vital insights into population trends and reproductive health.

The survey will deploy advanced methodologies like the Bounded Count and Double Observer techniques, tailored for fragmented and contiguous habitats, especially near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.