Belonging to the Russia region originally, Cinereous vulture migrated to Hazaribagh crossing the Himalayas and Northern plains. It was seen near Juljul Hill in Daaru forest area near the carcass disposal area. It was wandering near the carcass disposal site built by the Pinjrapol Society of Kolkata in search of food. Three other vultures of different species are often seen feeding on the dead bodies of bovines brought to the site.
Photograph of the cinereous vulture was taken by bird watcher Shib Shankar Goswami. There are a total of five different species of vulture in Hazaribagh with the addition of this one. White backed vulture, Egyptian Vulture and Indian vulture are permanently found in Hazaribagh. Himalayan vulture migrates to this area during winters. Five species in Hazaribagh and another one seen in Palamu takes the total number of vultures in Jhakhand to six.
This discovery has brought a cheer amongst the bird watchers and researchers of Hazaribagh. Former DFO (Divisional Forest Officer) SmitaPankaj also visited the vulture site. State Coordinator of IBCN (Indian Bird Conservation Network) and research scholar SatyaPrakash shared some vital information about the bird. He elaborated that Cinereous vulture is a resident bird of Eurasian countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, Greece. During winters it migrates to India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Isreal etc. Cinereous vulture is protected under Schedule 4 of Wildlife Protection Act.
Hazaribagh, of lately, is turning out as a favorable spot for vultures which is a cause to celebrate given the vulnerable status of the vultures in the world.