Vulture Population Rebounds in Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Conservation Efforts Bear Fruit
The critically endangered vulture population within the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran, Bihar, is exhibiting encouraging signs of recovery, sparking renewed optimism for regional biodiversity conservation. This positive development follows years of alarming decline and represents a significant victory for ecological preservation efforts.
Establishment of a Dedicated Conservation Centre
In a strategic move to bolster recovery, the forest department has allocated five acres of land in compartment number T-22 of the Gonauli forest range for establishing a Vulture Conservation Centre. District Forest Officer of VTR division-2, Vikas Ahlawat, confirmed the earmarking, highlighting the administration's commitment to creating a secure habitat for these scavengers.
Recent Sightings and Species Identification
Forest officials report recent sightings of vulture groups, typically comprising 25 to 30 individuals, in several areas across the VTR landscape. These locations include Madanpur, Gobardhana, Harnatand, and along the Gandak river. The observed species are primarily the long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus) and the white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis), both classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Addressing the Primary Threat: Diclofenac
Experts have long identified the widespread veterinary use of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), as the principal cause of the catastrophic vulture decline over recent decades. When vultures consume carcasses of livestock treated with diclofenac, the drug proves rapidly fatal, leading to population collapses across the Indian subcontinent.
West Champaran Forest Conservator-cum-Director Neshamani K stated that sustained departmental efforts to protect and revive vulture populations are now yielding tangible results. Recent surveys and field observations have confirmed vulture presence across various reserve sections, validating the effectiveness of the implemented strategies.
Comprehensive Conservation Strategy
The forest department accorded special priority to vulture conservation within VTR, launching a dedicated programme during the 2023-24 period. This multifaceted initiative focuses on several key areas:
- Regular Monitoring: Systematic observation and data collection on vulture movements and numbers.
- Nest Site Protection: Identification and safeguarding of critical nesting locations to ensure breeding success.
- Safe Feeding Zones: Creation of designated areas within the reserve where vultures can feed without risk of poisoning.
Ensuring the availability of safe food sources has been a cornerstone of the strategy. The department actively promotes diclofenac-free veterinary practices in surrounding villages, encouraging veterinarians and livestock owners to adopt safer pharmaceutical alternatives. Concurrently, local communities are being educated on the importance of disposing livestock carcasses at designated safe locations to prevent accidental vulture poisoning.
Ecological Importance and Future Goals
Highlighting the vulture's indispensable role, Neshamani K emphasized, "Vultures are extremely important to the ecosystem. According to one estimate, a single vulture can consume around 1 to 1.5 kilograms of carrion per day, which significantly reduces the spread of diseases. That is why vultures are often referred to as ‘sanitation sentinels’ and ‘heroes of the ecosystem.’"
The forest department has set an ambitious target: increasing the vulture population within the Valmiki Tiger Reserve by 30 to 40% over the next five years, a goal that appears increasingly attainable given current trends.
Expert Analysis and Broader Threats
Wildlife experts view the gradual return of vultures as a positive indicator of overall ecosystem health. Samir Kumar Sinha, Chief Ecologist at the Wildlife Trust of India, provided crucial context, noting, "While the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac in livestock has been widely recognised as a major cause of vulture decline, non-targeted poisoning through pesticide-laced carcasses in several parts of the country has emerged as another significant cause of vulture mortality."
This statement underscores the complex, multi-faceted threats facing vultures beyond diclofenac, necessitating continued vigilance and comprehensive conservation approaches. The recovery in VTR serves as a model, demonstrating that focused intervention, community engagement, and habitat protection can reverse even severe population declines, offering a blueprint for vulture conservation efforts across India and beyond.
