The recent sighting of the Cinereous vulture in Jharkhand, India, has sparked interest in the scientific community, serving as a reminder of the vast migratory patterns of these avian creatures. This sighting is a first for this region, with earlier sightings typically limited to the northern parts of India, such as Rajasthan. The appearance of the avian species labeled as Near Threatened under the IUCN Red List in Jharkhand is a new development which merits further investigation.
A Glimpse Into The Cinereous Vulture
The Cinereous vulture, denoted scientifically as Aegypius monachus, derives its name from the Latin term ‘monachus’, signifying a hooded figure, akin to a monk. It’s also known as the ‘monk vulture’ in many countries, owing to its upright standing neck feathers that bear an uncanny resemblance to the hood of a monk. The bird is characterized by its dark brown, broad-winged form and slightly wedge-shaped tail. Additionally, the bald head and neck are bluish gray, with a fluffy collar that turns lighter as the vulture ages.
India: A Melting Pot for Various Vulture Species
India boasts a rich diversity when it comes to vulture species, playing host to nine different types. However, the population of these magnificent birds is gradually dwindling, prompting the Indian government to launch a species-recovery plan. This program includes setting up conservation breeding centers across different parts of India.
Vulture Species in India
| Species | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Cinereous Vulture | Aegypius monachus |
| Indian Vulture | Gyps indicus |
| White-rumped Vulture | Gyps bengalensis |
The Role of Technology in Conservation: The Parivesh Portal
The Parivesh portal, a Pro-Active and Responsive Facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single-window Hub, is set to be operationalized by January 15. This digital move is backed by the Gujarat government and other Indian states. PARIVESH is an innovative, web-based application designed to facilitate the online submission and monitoring of environmental, forest, wildlife, and Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) clearance proposals. It aims to streamline the tracking process encompassing the submission of new proposals, editing/updating proposal details, and keeping track of the proposal’s status at each stage of the workflow. The brainchild of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), this portal has been ideated under the ‘Digital India’ initiative.