Part of: GS Prelims and GS III – Conservation; Biodiversity
In news
Recently, 150 vultures were seen in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR), Bihar, which has prompted a vulture conservation plan in the protected region.
What is the importance of Vultures?
They live in the tropics and subtropics.
Nature’s garbage collectors: Vultures are the scavengers who do the work of cleaning up, and keeping the ecosystem healthy.
Despite feeding on infected carcass, vultures do not get infected.
The acids in their stomach are potent enough to kill the pathogen.
Thus, the chain of infection is broken.
Therefore, vultures invisibly controls the spread of harmful pathogens causing deadly anthrax, cholera, foot and mouth disease, rabies etc.
They also prevent the contamination of water sources, especially in the wild.
When animals die near watering hole, there is an imminent danger of contamination resulting in a quick spread of infections and mass death.
But vultures devour the carcasses in totality thereby preventing a tragic mishap.
What is the status of vultures in India?
India is home to 9 species of Vulture: Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and the Eurasian Griffon.
Most of these 9 species face danger of extinction.
Diclofenac is used as a medicine for livestock. Vultures which feed on such dead livestock gets exposed to diclofenac that causes kidney failure threatening its life.
Loss of Natural Habitats due to anthropogenic activities.
Food Dearth and Contaminated Food.
Electrocution by Power lines.
Do You Know?
Recently, the Ministry for Environment, Forests and Climate Change launched a Vulture Action Plan 2020-25 for the conservation of vultures in the country.
