Source: TH
Context:
Vultures, once abundant in India (40+ million in the 1980s), have declined by 95% since the 1990s mainly due to diclofenac (a veterinary drug) use. Their disappearance poses ecological and public health risks, linking biodiversity decline to zoonotic disease spillovers. They are part of the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), connecting migratory ecosystems across 30+ countries.
About Vultures in India
- Species Diversity: India is home to 9 species of vultures, out of which 3 are critically endangered:
- White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
- Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus)
- Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)
- Role in Ecosystem:
- Vultures are scavengers — they feed on carcasses of dead animals, preventing the spread of diseases.
- They are often called “nature’s cleanup crew” for their crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and public health.
Importance of Vultures for Public Health
- Act as nature’s waste managers by consuming carcasses.
- Prevent spread of deadly pathogens like anthrax, rabies, and botulinum toxin.
- Reduce risk of zoonotic spillovers that could trigger pandemics.
- Provide early surveillance opportunities at carcass sites.
Reasons for Vulture Decline in India
- Diclofenac Poisoning:
- The veterinary drug diclofenac, widely used to treat cattle, was the primary cause of vulture deaths.
- Vultures feeding on carcasses of animals treated with diclofenac suffered kidney failure, leading to a population crash of over 95% in the 1990s–2000s.
- Habitat Loss & Food Scarcity:
- Deforestation and changing livestock practices reduced nesting and feeding grounds.
- Decline in free-ranging livestock carcasses due to better carcass disposal practices.
- Electrocution & Collision:
- Power lines and wind turbines caused accidental deaths, especially in areas where vultures gather.
- Poisoned Baits & Carcasses:
- Vultures consumed carcasses intentionally laced with poison to kill other animals (e.g., dogs, jackals).
- Slow Breeding Rate:
- Vultures have low reproductive rates (1 egg per year), making population recovery slow.
Conservation Efforts
- Ban on Diclofenac (2006): Veterinary use of diclofenac was banned; alternative drugs like meloxicam promoted.
- Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres: Established in Haryana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Assam.
- National Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (2020–2025): Focuses on safe zones, breeding, and habitat protection.
Five-Pillar Strategy for Post-2025
- Satellite Telemetry – mapping habitats, dumps, and hotspots.
- Decision Support System (DSS) – integrating data across wildlife, livestock, and human health.
- One Health Coordination – linking environment, veterinary, and health agencies.
- Transboundary Collaboration – via CAF & Convention on Migratory Species.
- Community Stewardship – empowering women, youth, and local groups in awareness & surveillance.
