Vultures
( UPSC Prelims)
News Context
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has published its inaugural Pan-India Assessment and Monitoring report focusing on Endangered Species, specifically vultures.
Major Findings
Dependence on Protected Areas (PAs): PAs are crucial as they contain 54% of all recorded nests.
Focus: The study targets four Critically Endangered species, namely the White-rumped, Indian, Slender-billed, and Red-headed vultures, across 216 sites in 17 states.
Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus): Predominantly located in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, with the largest population at Mukundra Hills; these vultures rely on secure cliff sites.
White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis): Primarily found in the Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh.
Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris): Mainly breeds in Upper Assam.
Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus): Located in Madhya Pradesh; depends on dense, undisturbed forests; its population is extremely low and fragmented.
About Vultures
● Characteristics: Feed on animal carcasses
● Threats: Consumption of harmful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (utilized for treating livestock), habitat loss, electrocution, and more
● Conservation Initiatives: All vultures are included in the Species Recovery Programme and are listed under Schedule I of WPA; Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC) located in Rani (Assam) and Pinjore (Haryana); Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India, 2020‐2025; a foundation based in Assam introduced India's first vulture conservation portal; a 'Vulture Restaurant' is established in Koderma district, Jharkhand.