Nilgiri Tahr is recognised as the official state animal of which one of the following Indian states?

Introduction / Context:
The Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered mountain goat that lives on the steep grassy slopes of the Western Ghats. It is an important flagship species for high altitude conservation in southern India. This question checks your knowledge of Indian state symbols by asking which Indian state has adopted the Nilgiri Tahr as its official state animal.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Nilgiri Tahr is a wild mountain ungulate found in the Western Ghats.
• Several Indian states have officially declared state animals as part of their identity.
• The options are southern and western Indian states where the Western Ghats or nearby regions occur.
• Only one of these states has formally notified the Nilgiri Tahr as its state animal.

Concept / Approach:
State symbols are chosen to reflect unique biodiversity, culture, or history of a region. The Nilgiri Tahr is concentrated mainly in the high ranges of the Nilgiris, Anamalai, and Palani hills, with particularly important populations in the hill ranges of present day Tamil Nadu and Kerala. However, it is officially recognised as the state animal of Tamil Nadu. To answer correctly, you must link the species most closely with the state that has formally adopted it as a symbol, rather than just considering where it is found.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Nilgiri Tahr is a mountain goat endemic to the southern Western Ghats.Step 2: Note that its most famous habitats include areas like the Nilgiri Hills and protected areas in Tamil Nadu.Step 3: Remember that Tamil Nadu has officially declared the Nilgiri Tahr as its state animal.Step 4: Check the options and identify Tamil Nadu among the listed states.Step 5: Confirm that none of the other states has adopted the Nilgiri Tahr as its state animal, and select Tamil Nadu as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick check is to recall state symbol lists: Tamil Nadu's state animal is the Nilgiri Tahr, while Kerala has the Indian elephant, Karnataka has the Indian elephant or other different symbols, Maharashtra has the Indian giant squirrel, and Andhra Pradesh has the blackbuck. This comparison confirms that Tamil Nadu alone is officially associated with the Nilgiri Tahr as state animal.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B: Karnataka is part of the Western Ghats region but does not declare the Nilgiri Tahr as its state animal.Option C: Maharashtra has different state fauna; the Nilgiri Tahr does not primarily represent this state.Option D: Kerala shares some Nilgiri Tahr habitats but has chosen a different state animal.Option E: Andhra Pradesh does not have the Nilgiri Tahr as its state animal and does not lie in the core natural range of this species.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse the state where a species occurs with the state that has officially adopted it as a symbol. Another error is to assume that an animal common to more than one state must be a shared state symbol, which is rarely true. To avoid such mistakes, focus on memorising the official lists of state animals, birds, and trees for major Indian states.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Tamil Nadu.