Concern over rapid decline in number of vultures in Bikaner

Bikaner, Feb 2 (ANI): Vultures, which used to flock from distant lands in great numbers in Bikaner during the winter season, seem to have vanished to a great extent this year.

This in turn has created much anguish among environmentalists who apprehend death of these kites caused by disease or other factors.

According to ornithologists, the vultures fly from Siberia, east Europe and other lands to Bikaner every year during winters.

"For the past six years, I have been monitoring the population of birds in this area. This year, the number of birds is comparatively less. The species coming here are Eurasian and Cenarius," said S K Saharan, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bikaner Range.

Saharan added that Eurasian, Cenarius and Griffin vultures have shown a big decline in their number.

Research on the declining number of vultures has indicated that these kites die due to consumption of the carcasses of dairy livestock treated with an anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac Sodium.

"We have come here to see the vultures. The vultures of different colours like brown, black and white usually used to come here. We feel at peace after seeing the vultures," commented Rajendra, a tourist.

Ornithologists and environmentalists have observed that 99 per cent of the country's vulture population has vanished mainly on account of the kites feeding on carcasses of cattle.

Animal carcasses will further endanger the vulture population that is virtually under threat of extinction.

The drug Diclofenac Sodium was introduced in India in 1995 and on learning about its adverse effects, the Government of India banned its usage in 2006.

However, the ban is yet to be implemented in several parts of the country.

Vultures find a place in Schedule I of the country's Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the country's only legal framework to protect endangered species, which prohibits hunting and trafficking of endangered species.

The Bombay Natural History Society has taken a lead in captive breeding programme of the threatened species by setting up a centre near Chandigarh and environmentalists want the Government of India to follow suit to save the threatened kites. By Jethmal Sharma (ANI)