I'm thrilled to announce the launch of #ProjectNilgiriTahr, a historic initiative to safeguard our State animal, the #NilgiriTahr. 🦌🌄 For over...
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched Project Nilgiri Tahr with twenty-five crore rupees to preserve the endangered state animal and Western Ghats ecology.
M.K.Stalin@mkstalinOriginal post
I'm thrilled to announce the launch of #ProjectNilgiriTahr, a historic initiative to safeguard our State animal, the #NilgiriTahr. 🦌🌄 For over 2,000 years, this remarkable species has graced our folklore, culture, and life. Now, it's our duty to ensure its future.
With a dedicated project office in Coimbatore, a lead scientist, and 4 research fellows, we are embarking on a comprehensive survey to understand and protect the Tahr's habitat and population.
A generous allocation of Rs 25 Crores will support activities like habitat preservation, awareness campaigns, and more. Let's join hands to conserve these #MountainMonarchs that call the Western Ghats home.
@supriyasahuias @tnforestdept @IUCN @IUCNRedList @WWFIndia #வரையாடு
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin officially launched #ProjectNilgiriTahr, a pioneering wildlife conservation initiative backed by a 25-crore-rupee outlay to protect Tamil Nadu's state animal, the Nilgiri Tahr. Stalin noted that for over 2,000 years, this magnificent ungulate—celebrated as the 'Mountain Monarch' of the rugged Western Ghats—has featured prominently in ancient Sangam Tamil poetry, folklore, and cultural memory. He declared that safeguarding its survival is an ecological and moral obligation for modern governance.
The Chief Minister announced that the project establishes a dedicated administrative office in Coimbatore, staffed by a full-time lead scientist and four specialized research fellows. The conservation blueprint encompasses comprehensive scientific population surveys using radio-collaring, systematic restoration of degraded montane shola-grassland habitats, eco-tourism management, and targeted community awareness campaigns. The initiative actively partners with premier international conservation bodies including the IUCN and WWF India to implement global best practices.
Stalin emphasized that the Dravidian Model governance views ecological stewardship as intrinsically connected to long-term human survival and climate resilience. He called upon forest department personnel, wildlife researchers, and local tribal communities to collaborate closely in ensuring the Nilgiri Tahr thrives across its ancestral mountain habitats.