- In India, there are nine identified vulture species, with five belonging to the Genus Gyps, and the remaining four being monotypic.
- Until the 1980s, vultures were highly prevalent in the country. The population of the three resident Gyps species—Oriental White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, and Slender-billed Vulture—was estimated to be 40 million individuals during that period.
- However, in the mid-1990s, the overall vulture population experienced a drastic decline, exceeding 90%. By 2007, all three Gyps species had been eradicated.
INDIAN VULTURE CRISIS
- The Indian vulture crisis stands out as the most severe decline among animal populations, with a loss exceeding 99%.
- A significant factor contributing to the decline is attributed to the widespread use of drugs such as diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that was once commonly administered to livestock.
- The drug is believed to have been transmitted to vultures through the flesh of deceased cattle that were treated with diclofenac in their final days, leading to kidney failure in vultures.
- Data modeling indicates that even a minute proportion (approximately 0.8%) of livestock carcasses containing diclofenac can result in a substantial crash in vulture populations.
DICLOFENAC
- Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) employed for treating pain and inflammation in specific medical conditions.
- NSAIDs are associated with adverse effects on kidney function, stemming from a reduction in renal prostaglandin synthesis.
- Vultures that ingest diclofenac-laden carcasses of animals treated with the drug suffer from kidney failure.
- The accumulation of uric acid within tissues and on internal organ surfaces, known as visceral gout, was observed in 85% of deceased vultures. Renal failure, linked to metabolic failure or toxic disease, is the leading cause of death.
- Characteristic signs of illness in vultures include “neck drooping,” exhibited for weeks before collapse or falling from trees, signaling impending death. This behavioral change serves as the only visible indication of their health status.
- In May 2006, the Indian government banned the use of diclofenac in veterinary medicine.
- However, this prohibition had limitations, as human diclofenac was still utilized to treat ailing cattle.
- An issue arises from the cost-effectiveness of the human form of diclofenac compared to alternative drugs like meloxicam, which have been tested for safety concerning vultures.
STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT
VULTURE RESTAURANT
- Vulture Restaurants (VR) are establishments where tables are exclusively reserved for the unique and rare vultures, operated by the Forest departments of Maharashtra and Punjab.
- Given their role as natural scavengers, vultures have faced challenges due to rapid urbanization and adverse climate conditions, leading to a decline in their populations.
- The establishment of “Vulture Restaurants” aims to address this issue by providing a dedicated space for vultures to access food.
- The inaugural vulture restaurant was opened in 2015 at the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Raigad district.
- The success of these establishments relies heavily on the availability of carcasses.
- To ensure a steady supply of food, the forest department collaborates with local villagers, encouraging them to provide carcasses in exchange for incentives.
- The wildlife wing of the state forest department permits locals to contribute the remains of their deceased pets and livestock to serve as sustenance for the vultures at these unique dining establishments.
VULTURES BREEDING CENTRES IN INDIA
- In 2005, the vulture research facility located in Pinjore, Haryana, was officially designated as Asia’s pioneering Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre.
- Presently, India hosts four vulture breeding facilities situated in Rani (Guwahati, Assam), Pinjore (Haryana), Buxa (West Bengal), and Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh).
- Additionally, four more centers are managed by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in Junagarh (Gujarat), Nandankanan (Orissa), Hyderabad (Telangana), and Muta (Ranchi). A collaborative initiative by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) was launched to release 30 young vultures from breeding centers into three designated safe zones by 2014.
- While these breeding facilities have been operational for several years, the reproductive process of vultures is time-consuming.
- It takes a minimum of four to five years for young vultures to develop the necessary skills for flight.
OTHER MEASURES TO CONSERVE VULTURES
The veterinary drug Diclofenac has undergone prohibition by the governments of India and Nepal, and Meloxicam is being actively promoted as a suitable alternative for vultures and other scavenging birds. In line with conservation efforts, the Government of India has formulated a comprehensive National Action Plan on Vulture Conservation in 2006, outlining strategies and actions to address the decline in vulture populations through both ex-situ and in-situ conservation measures.
As part of the conservation initiatives:
- White-backed, Long-billed, and Slender-billed Vultures have been reclassified from Schedule IV to Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972.
- Dedicated Vulture Protection Zones have been established.
- Identification and operationalization of sites for Vulture Restaurants have been undertaken.
- In Panchkula, a ‘Vulture Captive Care Facility’ has been established.
- State governments have been advised to establish vulture care centers, specifically aimed at conserving three vulture species.
- Captive breeding facilities have been set up to ensure the breeding of healthy wild birds for conservation and potential future release into the wild.
- Regular awareness-raising activities are organized for various groups, including veterinarians, pharmacists, school children, government agencies, conservation partners, and local communities, to promote understanding and support for vulture conservation efforts.
ACTION PLAN FOR VULTURE CONSERVATION (2020- 2025)
- The Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (APVC) in India, spanning from 2020 to 2025, emerges as a crucial framework for the country’s ongoing efforts in vulture conservation.
- With the previous action plan reaching its expiration in 2009, the creation of a new document became imperative to delineate the vision for vulture conservation in the forthcoming years.
- Building upon the recommendations of the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2006, various conservation measures have been instituted to avert the extinction of at least three vulture species: Oriental White-backed, Long-billed, and Slender-billed. Despite these efforts, several challenges persist, necessitating prompt attention for effective vulture conservation in the country.
- The APVC 2020-2025 introduces priority actions and additional measures for vulture conservation beyond those outlined in the 2006 action plan.
- Among the urgently recommended actions is the prevention of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from contaminating major vulture food sources, particularly cattle carcasses.
FAQs – Vulture Conservation in India
1-How many vulture species are there in India?
A: India is home to nine identified vulture species, with five belonging to the Genus Gyps and the remaining four being monotypic.
2-What was the vulture population in India until the 1980s?
A: Until the 1980s, vultures were highly prevalent in India, with the population of the three resident Gyps species estimated to be around 40 million individuals.
3-What led to the drastic decline in the vulture population in India?
A: The mid-1990s witnessed a drastic decline exceeding 90% in the overall vulture population, primarily attributed to the widespread use of drugs like diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administered to livestock.
4-What is the Indian vulture crisis?
A: The Indian vulture crisis represents the most severe decline of any animal population globally, with a loss exceeding 99%, largely due to factors like diclofenac contamination of vulture food sources.
5-How does diclofenac affect vultures?
A: Vultures suffer from kidney failure when they consume carcasses of animals treated with diclofenac. Even a small proportion (about 0.8%) of livestock carcasses containing diclofenac can significantly crash vulture populations.
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