Third Synchronised Survey for Population Estimation of Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Nadu and the Adjoining Landscape The annual synchronized survey of the Nilgiri Tahr is one of the important components of Project Nilgiri Tahr, aimed at estimating the population of Nilgiri Tahr in the Western Ghats, carried out in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department. The population of Nilgiri Tahr was estimated at 1031 in Tamil Nadu in the first Synchronized Survey for the State animal "Nilgiri Tahr" conducted from April 29, 2024 to May 1, 2024 in 140 blocks. The second Synchronized Survey for the State animal "Nilgiri Tahr" was conducted from April 24, 2025 to April 27, 2025 in 177 blocks, and the total population of Nilgiri Tahr was estimated at 1303 in Tamil Nadu. The third Synchronized Survey for the State animal was carried out by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department for four days from April 24, 2026 to April 27, 2026, simultaneously across all 14 Nilgiri Tahr-bearing Forest Divisions. The survey covered the same 177 survey blocks distributed in 126 forest beats of 43 Forest Ranges where it was carried out last year. A total of 11 capacity-building and training programmes were conducted for frontline field staff by the Project Nilgiri Tahr team. For the first time, the Android-based mobile application "VARUDAI" was used, enabling real-time data transfer from the field. During the survey, third-party observers from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)-India, New Delhi, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), the Kerala Forest Department, and members of WWF also participated. The data collected during the survey were scientifically analysed based on statistical methods, and the results obtained were discussed with research experts, scientists, and IUCN country representatives. During the survey, the Nilgiri Tahr was documented at varying elevations ranging from 270 MSL to 2630 MSL. The total population of Nilgiri Tahr is estimated at 1364 in Tamil Nadu, which indicates a 4.68% increase over the last year. The Anamalai Hills holds 44.87% of the total population of Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Nadu, whereas the Nilgiris landscape holds 29.25% of the population. The male-to-female ratio of Nilgiri Tahr was estimated at 55:100, whereas the female-to-young ratio was estimated at 100:66. Hon'ble Minister of Forests and Hon'ble Minister of Environment and Climate Change released the 3rd Synchronized Survey of Nilgiri Tahr Report, highlighting the importance of the database for understanding the ecological status of the animal and for long-term conservation planning to augment habitat management and support protection measures. Additional Chief Secretary to Government Issued By: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9