Tamil Nadu has conducted the third synchronized survey of Nilgiri Tahr, a state animal, under Project Nilgiri Tahr.
The survey was conducted across the Western Ghats in coordination with the Kerala Forest Department to avoid double-counting of animals moving between states.
It covered 14 forest divisions, 43 ranges, 124 beats, and 177 survey blocks over more than 3,100 km from Kanniyakumari to Gudalur.
A mobile application named “Varudai” is used for real-time data collection, GPS tracking, and reporting.
Previous surveys recorded 1,031 Nilgiri Tahr in 2024 and 1,303 in 2025, showing population growth and habitat recolonisation.