(IN) Saving vultures in Gujarat

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http://www.wildlifetrustofindia.org/current-news/090317_saving_scavengers_vultur\

e_conservation_gujarat.html

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*Saving scavengers: Vulture conservation in Gujarat*

 

*March 17, 2009, Hazira (Gujarat):* Vultures in the coastal region

near Hazira in Surat, have found a firm friend in a project

initiated several years ago by the Bird Conservation Society of Gujarat and

the Nature Club of Surat. Aimed at generating mass awareness on the

alarming decline of vultures in India due to diclofenac poisoning, this

effort continues today with unfailing determination and small but steady

successes.

 

“We conduct awareness programmes in villages in this area. As a part of this

we screen the film ‘Vanishing Vultures’ (dubbed in local language),

distribute T-Shirts and a booklet named *Chalo Gidh Bachavie*”, says Viral

Prajapati, Environmental Education Coordinator, Nature Club Surat.

Awareness programme for school students in progress

 

Vultures have been facing a serious problem with ‘diclofenac’ contamination

in animal carcasses, which forms the basis of their sustenance. Widespread

use of the livestock drug 'diclofenac' has been known to be one of the

major factors affecting vulture populations in India. The drug, used as an

anti-inflammatory and analgesic in cattle, is lethal to vultures when they

feed on livestock carcasses that received diclofenac before death. Death due

to formation of visceral gouts and renal failure has been associated with

diclofenac poisoning in vultures. (Pls check this with Ashraf)

 

Manufacture, sale and distribution of 'diclofenac' is banned by the Drugs

and Cosmetic Act of the Government of India.

 

The project attempts to support the ban on ‘diclofenac’ in this coastal

region by generating awareness among buyers. It also informs people of the

availability of ‘Meloxicam’, which is so far known to be harmless to

vultures.

 

" Veterinarians in Surat have been informed about the side effects of

diclofenac. Meloxicam has been suggested as an alternative. As Meloxicam is

relatively costlier, we have been supplying it to people at subsidised

rates,” says Prajapati.

 

The project additionally runs a feeding site for vultures, this also helps

in clearing carcasses of dead animals, preventing disease outbreaks.

 

“To provide vultures with diclofenac-free food, we started a ‘Vulture

Feeding Site’ in Hazira. Local people participate in this venture by

supplying us with clean (not contaminated with diclofenac) cattle carcasses

to be placed as food for the vultures. About 50-90 vultures regularly visit

this site,” says Prajapati.

 

Apart from these activities, the project also rescues displaced or

injured vulture chicks in association with the Gujarat Forest

Department. Regular counts have also been carried out to keep a tab on the

local population trend. Volunteers also keep a track on vultures of Mahuva

district along with Rajula and Kodinar. So far around 120 birds have been

counted.

 

The activities of the project has seen a positive response from local

people, according to the implementers. " Vulture populations over the last

two years have been more or less stable in Surat district where our

activities are concentrated. One of our most effective activities has

perhaps been the awareness campaign, through which we have reached to about

4000 students and at least 1500 other local people. The local

people reinforce our initiatives in every way they can, be it providing

cattle carcasses for the feeding site or providing information on any

displaced or injured individual vulture. We have even received information

on injured vultures from young students. We have so far rehabilitated three

white rumped vultures. It is heartening to have the support of villagers and

local people. "