As part of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Eravikulam National Park, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have jointly decided to conduct a census of Nilgiri tahrs (mountain goats) from April 24 to 27, 2025, according to Kerala Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran.
He stated that the forest departments of both states have begun preparations to carry out the census simultaneously across all regions where Nilgiri tahr habitats exist, both within and outside the protected forest areas of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G. Krishnan said the four-day census will be conducted across 89 census blocks in Kerala and 176 census blocks in Tamil Nadu. He added that measures have been taken to use camera traps and to scientifically collect pellet samples from selected blocks for studies on genetic variation.
The 89 census blocks for the tahr count have been identified across 20 forest divisions in Kerala, from Thiruvananthapuram to Wayanad, where the presence of Nilgiri tahrs has been noted. Around 1,300 census team members, including experienced forest officials and volunteers skilled in wildlife surveys, will participate in the exercise. The data collected will be analyzed using the scientific “bounded count” method to estimate the population in each block. Periyar Tiger Reserve Field Director P.P. Pramod has been appointed as the nodal officer for the 2025 Nilgiri tahr census.
Found only in a few regions globally—such as Arabia, the Himalayas, and the Western Ghats—the Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat species facing the threat of extinction, is a significant asset to Munnar’s tourism sector. Eravikulam National Park, near Munnar, is home to the healthiest population of these tahrs, where an annual census is already conducted. Through precise counting, their numbers can be accurately determined, ensuring their safety and survival through improved conservation efforts. Eravikulam National Park and the Nilgiri tahrs remain a vital asset to Munnar’s tourism industry.
