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India’s First Vulture Conservation Portal

04 Sep 2025 GS 3 Environment
India’s First Vulture Conservation Portal Click to view full image

Context

  • Launched in Assam by We Foundation India in collaboration with Gauhati University’s Department of Zoology.

  • Reportedly India’s first dedicated portal for vulture conservation.

  • Launch timed ahead of International Vulture Awareness Day (first Saturday of September).

Objectives of the Portal

  1. Networking platform: Connecting individuals, NGOs, researchers, academicians, and conservationists working on vulture survival.

  2. Information dissemination: Sharing scientific and community-based knowledge in local languages (starting with Assamese).

  3. Awareness building: Highlighting the link between vulture survival, human lives, and the local economy.

  4. Grassroots engagement: Ensuring rural populations understand vulture importance in ecosystem services.

Partners in The Vulture Network

  • Assam Bird Monitoring Network.

  • LASA Foundation.

  • Suraksha Samitee.

  • Individual conservationists and researchers.

Significance of Vulture Conservation

  • Ecological Role: Vultures are nature’s scavengers — prevent spread of diseases by disposing of animal carcasses.

  • Cultural and economic importance: Their decline has led to increase in stray dogs, rise in rabies, and health costs.

  • Conservation concern: India’s vulture population crashed by ~97% in the 1990s due to veterinary drug diclofenac poisoning.

Species Diversity

  • Nine species of vultures recorded in India.

  • Critically Endangered (IUCN): White-backed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture.Apart from the three critically endangered Gyps species (Long-billed, White-backed, and Slender-billed), India also records the Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) and the Eurasian Griffon (Gyps fulvus).

Current Conservation Measures in India

1. Ban & Regulation of Diclofenac

  • 2006: Ban on manufacture, sale, and veterinary use of diclofenac.

  • 2015: Restricted multi-dose vials to 3 ml (single human dose) to prevent diversion for livestock.

  • Promotion of safe alternatives – Meloxicam, Tolfenamic Acid.

  • Awareness programmes + pharmacy surveys to curb illegal sale.

2. Species Recovery Programme

  • Implemented by MoEFCC + Central Zoo Authority + State Governments.

  • Establishment of Vulture Breeding & Conservation Centres:

    • Pinjore (Haryana)

    • Rajabhatkhawa (West Bengal)

    • Rani (Assam)

    • Junagadh (Gujarat)

    • Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), etc.

  • Objective: captive breeding of critically endangered vultures + release into wild.

3. Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (2020–2025)

  • Target: Create Vulture Safe Zones across India.

  • Expand vulture breeding centres.

  • Strengthen monitoring of NSAIDs in veterinary practice.



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