Bio-diversity

Three species of vultures in Asia are in grave danger of extinction across the Indian subcontinent. Populations of Asian White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed Vulture G. indicus and Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris have declined by more than 97% in India (Prakash et al. 2003; Pain et al. 2004) and Pakistan and annual rates of decline appear to be increasing. In Nepal, rapid declines of White-rumped and Slender-billed Vulture numbers have been documented from various places (Giri and Baral 2001, Baral 2002, Baral et al. 2002, 2003). Vultures have declined by the same degree throughout their ranges in Nepal and these declines are continuing, with the complete loss of breeding colonies and local extinctions increasingly taking place. Due to these declines, all three species were listed by IUCN - The World Conservation Union in 2000 as Critically Endangered, which is the highest category of threat. The decline of the vultures was not limited to these two species hence in 2007 further two species Red headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus and Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus were listed in IUCN red list as critically endangered and vulnerable. The cause of these declines has been shown to have been caused by the veterinary drug diclofenac (Oaks et al. 2004), which is widely used to treat livestock in Asia. Vultures are exposed to diclofenac by feeding on livestock carcasses which contain residues of this drug. A post-mortem examination of dead or dying birds from India and Nepal also showed the high incidence of diclofenac residues and visceral gout (Shultz et al. 2004). The result of mathematical modeling is consistent with the observed rate of population decline. Models indicate that only a small proportion (one in 130) of carcasses contaminated with lethal levels of diclofenac can cause the observed vulture mortality rate (Green et al. 2004). The fact that "Of all the vulture colonies being monitored in South Asia in 2007/08, vulture colony near the vulture restaurant was the only colony to register an increase in nest numbers" revealed the success of SGP supported project (NEP/OP3/2/07/08) in establisning vulture restaurant which provide safer food for vulture and swapping of diclofenac with vulture friendly Meloxicam. Popularity of the vulture restaurant attracted local communities of other areas in establishing the vulture restaurant. Hence the vulture restaurants have been replicated in Gaidahawa, Rupendehi (supported by CEPF), Dang (Supported by CEPF), Kailali (supported by RSPB and BCN). All these restaurant sites have shown a positive result with increase in nest numbers. Though the vulture restaurants have given a ray of hope on conservation of the critically endangered vultures but until and unless a diclofenac free environment is created the vultures will not be safe in the environment. This project will mainly focus on expanding the conservation efforts at vulture restaurants to landscape level through setting up Jatayu safe zones. Efforts will also be made in supporting other vulture range countries in replicating this initiative and establishing a good network for maximizing the impact of Jatayu safe zones in vulture conservation.

Nepal