A two-day long exercise related to population estimation (census) of vultures will be carried out across Gujarat from Saturday by Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation (GEER Foundation).
Acknowledging the fact that vultures have rapidly declined since 1990 across Asian countries, including India GEER Foundation, an autonomous body set up by the State Forest & Environment Department initiated vulture census in 2005 with a view to prepare comprehensive vulture conservation program. It has also considered vultures’ social and cultural linkage with human society and their vital role as scavengers in ecosystems
“Vulture census is important to understand the rate of population variation in endangered species of vultures in Gujarat. The census, which is generally done at an interval of 2 years, not only determines whether or not the trend is a declining-one and it also indicates how fast the population is declining. It further helps in deciding the strategies and magnitude of efforts needed for vulture conservation in the State,” said RD Kamboj, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, who is also director of GEER Foundation.
In the last vulture census conducted in May 2016 total 999 vultures of three main species were recorded. Of these, 843 were Gyps Vultures (458 White-rumped vultures and 385 long-billed vultures), 24 Red-headed vultures and 132 Egyptian vultures. While in the previous statewide estimation in 2012, 1037 vultures were recorded which included 938 Gyps (577 white-rumped and 361 long-billed), eight Red-headed and 97 Egyptian Vulture. In early 1990s there were more than 3000 scavengers. In 2005 vulture counts were over 2000.
Apart from State forest department staff, 225 volunteers from different NGOs are participating in 2018 vulture census. They will carry out surveys in 23 Sanctuaries, four National Parks and one conservation Reserve across Gujarat.
According to Kamboj, major cause of population decline of vulture is use of veterinary drug — ‘Diclofenac’. The drug is widely use as a painkiller for treatment of livestock.