India, which has lost 99 per cent of the four-crore population of vultures in the last three decades and continues to witness the decline of the existing ones at the rate of 40 per cent annually, will make a
Mumbai: The efforts of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has borne fruit, with vultures being successfully bred in captivity, for the first time in the world.
The Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme of the BNHS was started in 2004 at three places in the country at Pinjor in Haryana, Rajabhatkhawa near Baxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal and Rani Forest near Guwahati in Assam.
Poharkar et al.1 have reported the presence of a single genotype of avian Plasmodium spp. AP70 in 14 White-backed vultures in Central India. This result and the treatment of ill vultures with an antimalarial drug, as well as the lack of diclofenac residues implied that malaria could be an additional cause for the decline in vulture population. (Correspondence)
Rapid urbanization, destruction of habitat and rampant use of pesticides are some of the factors affecting the population of scavenging birds---------
Vultures in the sky are disappearing very fast. According to statistics of the Bombay Natural
History Society, the vulture population has declined by more than 99% and is declining at a rate of more than 40% annually.
Clawing back
Hazaribagh, June 24: Vultures may be on the brink of extinction in the country, but its population continues to thrive in this district.
Efforts taken by Neo Human Foundation, an NGO working for vulture conservation, has given a boost to the bird population in this region. For now, there are around 200 vultures in the town and adjoining areas.
bauxite mining Vietnam opens door to China Vietnam has invited a Chinese company to mine a massive bauxite reserve beneath its Central Highlands, despite growing opposition to mining and a deep-rooted suspicion of China. Deputy Industry Minister Le Duong Quang said the state-owned Vietnam National Coal would go ahead with a US $460 million venture with a subsidiary of China
As the Parsi community in India is facing serious concern for ensuring traditional disposal of bodies of their dead due to alarming decline in vulture population, members of this highly endangered species from Assam are coming to their rescue.
RESEARCH by Indian veterinarian Ajay Poharkar has shown that apart from the anti-inflammatory, analgesic drug diclofenac, malaria too is a major cause for vulture deaths. The widely accepted vulture extinction theory by UK scientist Lindsay Oak which originated in Pakistan holds diclofenac responsible for endangering the specie.
The alligator-breeding scheme of Van Vihar is hanging in balance as the Jaipur sanctuary has refused to provide male alligator to Van Vihar. Keeping in mind the decreasing number of alligators the former director of Van Vihar, Dr AK Bhattacharya had prepared this scheme.
