“THE DECLINE OF ASIAN VULTURES IS ONE OF THE STEEPEST DECLINES   EXPERIENCED BY ANY OTHER BIRDS SPECIES”

– Dr. Debbie pain, RSPB

• Among 9 species of vultures found in India 3 species namely Oriental White-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris), Long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus) are now classified as critically endangered. The Oriental white-backed vultures are now at the verge of extinction. The population of it has decreased drastically by 97% in last 12 years.

• The major reason of vulture decline is use of Diclofenac in livestock as a anti-inflammatory drug. If a vulture feeds on a carcass which still contains Diclofenac then it causes kidney failure of the vulture & in most of the cases they die within 24- 48 hours.    

To estimate the status of Bengal vulture in West Bengal a vulture census was carried out by Wildlife wing, Forest Department in collaboration of Wildlife NGOs.   

IN OUR PART VULTURE   CENSUS (October, 2005) ALLIED OBSERVATIONS:

NEWS team had visited major portions of North & South 24 Parganas districts, West Bengal: 

1. Bhojerhat / Bhangar area on 2/10, 3/10 and 18/10, 22/10 by car & on foot. Sightings – 8 roosting in Sastayangachhi, Dakhhin Para near Pakapole, 2 roosting in Mirpukur and 2 at Jirongachha. 
2. In and around Bamanghata, Rajarhat 23/10, 27/10 – No sighting.
3. N-24 Parganas – upto Kalyani. 28/10, 29/10. 13 Caracuss dump visited not a single vulture sighted.  2 in Latbagan, Barrakpore, (irregular reporting of 6 –8 by local people) sighted.

Everywhere the local people have reported us of a vulture population 100 – 200 just three years ago & about 1000 before 10 years, at their places.  

Certain glaring facts:  

1. In carcass dumps generally no carcass with flesh is available for the vultures since last five to six years.
2. In North 24 Parganas district, after tearing off of skin, the flesh is supplied to meet the market demand of feeding Hybrid Magurs, which consume huge quantity of such flesh – 350-400 kg of meat daily in an area of 8 square kilometer.
3. Even those remaining are buried due to local people’s objection.
4. Rarely they are allowed to float on rivers or dumped beside fields uncared.

At present our activity on vulture crisis:  

Government of India has already issued an order to ban Diclofenac for veterinary use. But still now diclofenac is available in open market & use of it as anti-inflammatory drug is very much popular both in farmers & veterinary doctors. NEWS in collaboration with senior faculty members of University of Animal Husbandry & Fisheries is now engaged in launching a campaign upto the block level veterinary doctors highlighting:  

1. The lethal effect of Diclofenac on vulture.
2. Requesting them not to prescribe Diclofenac.