To mitigate varied threats to vultures while also minimising the risk of contagion faced by the wildlife, a few potential carcass dumping sites have been identified in the Dehradun forest division. Researchers assisted by the contractors are still searching for a site to be used for dumping the carcasses under the direction of and with the assistance of the forest department.
It should be noted here that vulture and various birds of prey migrate to the Doon valley during the winters. These birds — especially the vultures also face the risk of death by electrocution and other factors particularly in the area where livestock carcasses are dumped. Recently, a consultation workshop had been held at Jhajhra in Dehradun with livestock carcass disposal workers and contractors to discuss measures for facilitating a safe wintering location for the vultures. The Dehradun sub divisional officer Gul Vir Singh said that various aspects have to be considered in the selection of a site for dumping livestock carcasses. He said, “In addition to considering the reduction of risks to vultures we also have to ascertain that the wildlife is protected from the risk of contagion spreading from the carcass dumping site. The risk of wild carnivores scavenging on Diclofenac contaminated carcass has to be considered too.” As the livestock carcasses may also attract varied carnivores like leopard and jackal, the impact of the dumping ground on local wildlife will also have to be considered. Presently, the researchers are working with the contractors and carcass dumping workers to identify a site suitable for use as a dumping site, he said.
Talking to The Pioneer, Doon University research scholar Khima Nand Balodi who is involved in the vulture protection efforts said, “The contractors have so far shown us a couple of potential carcass dumping sites in the area. These sites fall under the jurisdiction of the Revenue department. Various aspects including the impact on wildlife and safety of vultures are being considered for identifying a suitable site. With the assistance of the forest department, we are looking to mark a dumping site in the near future. The contractors are in favour of establishing the dumping site by consolidating lands at one place as they state that the space is needed with at least 20 carcasses being collected per day in the region,” he added.
It should be mentioned that livestock carcasses dumped at various sites on the outskirts of Dehradun, particularly in the Jhajhra range, serve as the main food source for the migrating vultures and birds of prey. Researchers monitoring the population of vultures and other birds of prey had recorded vulture mortalities in 2015 due to electrocution, especially at sites located close to high tension power lines. About 40 Himalaya Griffon vultures had died from electrocution between January and April last year. The focus now is on mitigating such risks at a time when the Haryana forest department and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) are planning to release captive bred and reared vultures in the Morni hills for the first time after drastic decline of vultures in India. As the Doon valley is located about 50 to 80 kilometres from the Morni hills, the released vultures are also expected to fly in to Doon to feed on the livestock carcasses.
