Vulture Conservation in India (Environment)
Vulture Conservation in India (Environment)
Why In News:
Recently, radio telemetry technology nearly helped save a critically endangered vulture, underlining both the promise and limitations of tracking technology in wildlife conservation.
Source: The Hindu, Page 6, 4 July 2026 - 'Radio telemetry almost saved this vulture from death'
The Vulture Population Collapse
India was once home to tens of millions of vultures, including the White-rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture (long-billed) and Slender-billed Vulture.
Populations of these three species crashed by more than 95 percent between the early 1990s and 2000s, among the fastest declines recorded for any bird species globally.
The primary cause was Diclofenac, a veterinary anti-inflammatory drug given to cattle; vultures feeding on carcasses of treated animals suffered fatal kidney failure (visceral gout).
Government and Conservation Response
India banned veterinary use of Diclofenac in 2006, followed by similar bans in Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The Action Plan for Vulture Conservation has been implemented in phases by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, most recently the 2020-2025 plan.
Vulture Safe Zones exist in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Haryana, restricting harmful veterinary drug use.
Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centres, such as at Pinjore in Haryana, run captive breeding programmes ahead of eventual release into the wild.
Radio Telemetry as a Conservation Tool
Radio telemetry involves fitting birds with lightweight satellite or radio transmitters allowing scientists to track movement, foraging range and cause of mortality in near real time.
This helps identify hotspots of poisoning, electrocution from power lines and collision with wind turbines, and allows rapid emergency response.
Continuing Threats
Despite the Diclofenac ban, other NSAIDs(Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) toxic to vultures, such as Aceclofenac and Ketoprofen, remain in veterinary use and pose similar risks.
Habitat loss, reduction in nesting trees and declining availability of safe carcasses continue to constrain population recovery.
Key Facts for Prelims
Vultures are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the highest level of legal protection.
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is a key partner in India's vulture conservation and captive breeding programmes.
Most of India's resident vultures affected by the Diclofenac crisis belong to the Gyps genus.