(IN) Vultures flying away to extinction!

[Guest guest]

For quiet sometime I've been stydying n researching on the Common Indian Vulture

and the reason behind their disappearance. I wonder how many animals would we

strive to save from vanishing from the face of this earth!

 

Contrary to what people believe, Vultures have (or had) a very crucial role to

play in the environment. Caracasses (rotting ones) are a Vulture's typical food.

Whenever there is a cattle epidemic or large scale deaths due to natural

calamities, the vultures do(or did) the job of cleansing the earth of the

rotting caracasses, thus, preventing deadly and contagious germs from spreading.

 

Over the years I've been following the research work of some gypsophils (vulture

enthusiasts) who have been crying their lungs out that the stately bird is

gradually flying towards extinction. The key reasons being : increasing

urbanisation,rampant use of pesticides,pollution,felling of trees etc.

Wildlife experts fear that if something is not done immidiately then sighting

and photographing a vulture would become as rare as sighting an Indian Bustard.

 

Mass killing of vultures is also taking its toll on their disappearance. A

number of tribes in India (Andhra Pradesh,Madhya Pradesh & Karnataka) relish

vulture meat. But what is more worrisome is that the villagers view these

carnivores as aggressive predators that swoop and lift their livestock and

children.Hence, they mix lethal poison in a caracass which kills these poor

birds instantly.

Another alarming reason is that the Civil Aviation and Air Force authorities

have special squads to shoot down vultures as they are a major threat to a

flying aircraft.

 

Recently, the Center of Science & Environment (CSE) undertook a study on the

eating habits of Vutures in Delhi & Uttar Pradesh. The study revealed high doses

of deadly chemicals like DDT,Aldrin,Dieldrin and BHC in their stomachs. The

theory is that the cattle imbibe these pesticides from the grass and other

vegetation. When the cattle die, vultures make a meal of the caracasses

alongwith the chemicals.

Although, DDT & other harmful pesticides are banned but they are still

distributed by the block officers in the villages.

 

This is extremely worrisome as Vultures lay only 2-3 eggs and that too once a

year.Since vultures are hostile to the vultures of other species, cross breeding

is out of question.Imbreeding also never happens as it reduces fertility and

survival possiblity of the new-borns.

In India,there are 8 species of Vultures.The commonest being the Indian

Scavenger which is (or was) found practically (?) all over the

country.However,over the years, other species such as: India King,Long-billed

Griffon,Indian Fulvous,Asian White Rumped Vulture,and the Himalayan Griffon have

become a rare site these days.Many simply have vansihed or may only be found in

high mountain ranges.

 

Even Dr. Salim Ali described these birds as God's own incinerators which cannot

be replaced even by the most sophisticated ones that man may invent.

 

So I guess its time to ring the alarm bells!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Your valuable opinions and views on the subject and the crisis are solicited.

 

Thanks & Regards

Radhika Singh