Foundation stone laid for Nilgiri Tahr Conservation Centre in Coimbatore

The Nilgiri Tahr Conservation Centre to come up on Dr. Nanjappa Road in Coimbatore will be a hub for research, monitoring and documentation of Nilgiri tahr population in Tamil Nadu, enabling evidence-based conservation planning and long-term ecological stewardship.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the centre from Chennai (off line). The centre is a key component of the Project Nilgiri Tahr that was launched in 2023, envisioned for the conservation of Tamil Nadu’s State animal.

According to the Forest Department, the centre will come up at 50 cents on Dr. Nanjappa Road, located between Semmozhi Poonga and Periyar Arivulagam. The centre is conceived to create awareness among the public on the State animal and stand as a bridge between conservation and public. The objective of the centre is to transform complex conservation activities into knowledge that is accessible to students and citizens, by showcasing cutting-edge technologies, interactive exhibits and scientific insights.

The plan is to construct a four-storey building, which will have a flora and fauna gallery, a mini theatre, a biodiversity gallery, a diorama gallery, a tribal and species gallery and a children’s play area.

District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, Coimbatore MP Ganapathy P. Rajkumar, Mayor K. Ranganayaki, Chief Conservator of Forests D. Venkatesh, Coimbatore District Forest Officer N. Vengatesh Prabhu and members of the Project Nilgiri Tahr team attended the foundation stone laying ceremony in Coimbatore.

Currently functioning in a building in the Forest Department at north Coimbatore, the Project Nilgiri Tahr team is led by Project Director S. Senbagapriya and Assistant Director K. Ganeshram. It has a project scientist and four senior research fellows. All the activities of the project are being coordinated with 14 Nilgiri tahr-holding forest divisions in Tamil Nadu.