In recent findings, it has been discovered that there are 246 vultures across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, as per the first-ever synchronised census on the bird conducted in February 2023. The survey was orchestrated by the Kerala Forest and Wildlife department with help from its equivalents in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka within select Western Ghat regions.
Key Highlights of the Survey
The census was conducted in key areas, namely the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) in Kerala, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR), and Nagerhole Tiger Reserve (NTR) in Karnataka. The results showed 98 vultures in MTR, two in STR, 52 in WWS, 73 in BTR, and 23 in NTR. Different species of vultures were discovered, including White-rumped vultures (183), Long-billed vultures (30), Red-headed vultures (28), Egyptian vultures (3), Himalayan Griffon (1), and Cinereous vultures (1). The catastrophic decline of vultures since the 2000s is attributed to exposure to the diclofenac drug, used as a painkiller for cattle.
Vultures at a Glance
Vultures are among the 22 species of large carrion-eating birds predominantly found in the tropics and subtropics. As nature’s garbage collectors, they contribute significantly towards environmental cleanliness by eliminating waste. Vultures also prevent the spread of wildlife diseases. India is home to nine vulture species such as the Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous, and the Eurasian Griffon. Unfortunately, most of these species are on the brink of extinction. Certain species like the Bearded, Long-billed, Slender-billed, and Oriental white-backed are protected under the Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, while the rest fall under ‘Schedule IV’.
Threats to Vultures
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identifies loss of natural habitats, food scarcity, contaminated food, and electrocution by power lines as major threats faced by vultures due to human activities.
Conservation Measures
The Ministry for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has launched a Vulture Action Plan 2020-25 for vulture conservation in India. This action plan aims to minimize the use of Diclofenac and prevent cattle carcass contamination, a primary food source for vultures. To study vulture mortality in India, a Vulture Care Centre (VCC) was established in Pinjore, Haryana, in 2001, which was later upgraded to India’s first Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre (VCBC) in 2004. Currently, India has nine Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centres, with three directly managed by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Here is a sample question which was asked in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2012: “Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to what?” The answer is “(b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle”.
