Vultures and Pandemic Preparedness: Decline and Recovery Plan
Why in the news
Vultures once numbered over 40 million in India in the 1980s but have fallen by about 95% since the 1990s. Their loss raises ecological and health risks, since scavengers help stop disease spillover from animals to people. Vultures also belong to the Central Asian Flyway, linking more than 30 countries.
Key facts
- India hosts 9 vulture species; 3 are critically endangered: White-rumped (Gyps bengalensis), Indian (Gyps indicus) and Slender-billed (Gyps tenuirostris).
- Vultures are scavengers, called nature’s cleanup crew.
- They curb pathogens such as anthrax, rabies and botulinum toxin and offer early surveillance at carcass sites.
- They lay one egg a year, so recovery is slow.
Causes of decline
| Cause | Detail |
|---|---|
| Diclofenac | Cattle drug; birds eating treated carcasses suffered kidney failure; main cause |
| Habitat and food loss | Deforestation, changed livestock practices, better carcass disposal |
| Electrocution and collision | Power lines and wind turbines |
| Poisoned baits | Carcasses laced to kill dogs or jackals |
Conservation efforts
- 2006: veterinary diclofenac banned; alternatives like meloxicam promoted.
- Breeding centres in Haryana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Assam.
- National Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (2020-2025) covers safe zones, breeding and habitat protection.
Five-pillar strategy after 2025
- Satellite telemetry to map habitats, dumps and hotspots.
- Decision Support System joining wildlife, livestock and human health data.
- One Health coordination across environment, veterinary and health agencies.
- Cross-border work through the CAF and the Convention on Migratory Species.
- Community stewardship involving women, youth and local groups.
Exam angle
- Culprit drug: diclofenac; safer alternative: meloxicam.
- Flyway: Central Asian Flyway.
- Approach name: One Health.