News Highlight
246 vultures were spotted in the first-ever synchronised survey in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
Key Takeaway
- The evaluation was done in Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and the adjacent terrain of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR).
- As well as in Kerala’s Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS), Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR), and Karnataka’s Nagerhole Tiger Reserve (NTR).
- There were 98 vultures in MTR, two in STR, 52 in WWS, 73 in BTR, and 23 in NTR.
Vultures in India
- About
- It is one of 22 huge carrion-eating bird species in the tropics and subtropics.
- They are vital as nature’s garbage collectors, helping keep the environment clean and debris-free.
- Vultures also play an important role in the control of wildlife illnesses.
- India is home to 9 species of Vulture.
- Habitat
- The preferred habitats of the Vulture are deserts, savannas and grassland near a water source.
- It also inhabits open mountain ranges up to 3,000 metres above sea level.
- Importance
- They act an essential function as nature’s garbage collectors and help to keep the environment clean of waste.
- Vultures also play a valuable role in keeping wildlife diseases in check.
- Despite feeding on infected carcasses, vultures do not get infected.
- The acids in their stomach are potent enough to kill the pathogen.
- The birds also prevent the contamination of water sources, especially in the wild.
- Concerned Threats
- Poisoning from diclofenac is used as a medicine for livestock.
- Loss of natural habitats due to anthropogenic activities.
- Food dearth and contaminated food.
- Electrocution by Power lines.
Species of Vultures found in India and their Conservation Status
- Bearded Vulture – Near Threatened
- Cincerous Vulture – Near Threatened
- Egyptian Vulture – Endangered
- Griffon Vulture – Least Concern
- Himalayan Vulture/Griffon – Near Threatened
- Indian Vulture – Critically Endangered
- Indian White-rumped Vulture – Critically Endangered
- Red-headed Vulture – Critically Endangered
- Slender-billed Vulture – Critically Endangered
Vulture Population status in India
- Declining status
- The number of vultures has constantly declined since the 1990s.
- Between the 1990s and 2007, the number of three critically-endangered species, the Oriental white-backed, long-billed and slender-billed vultures, decreased massively, with 99% of the species being wiped out.
- The number of red-headed vultures, also critically endangered now, declined by 91%, while the Egyptian vultures by 80%.
Conservation Efforts
- The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change recently launched a Vulture Action Plan 2020-25 to conserve vultures in the country.
- It will reduce the use of Diclofenac while preventing the poisoning of vultures’ primary food source, cattle carcasses.
- In 2001, a Vulture Care Centre (VCC) was established at Pinjore, Haryana, to investigate the causes of vulture deaths in India.
- In 2004, the VCC was upgraded to India’s first Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre (VCBC).
- Furthermore, there are currently nine VCBCs in India, three directly managed by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
Pic Courtesy: The Hindu
Content Source: The Hindu