Guwahati, Aug 22: A conservation education, awareness, and sensitisation campaign
was organised at the Chhaygaon Revenue Circle Office in Kamrup District of Assam on
August 21 with in pursuit of the objective to achieve zero vulture deaths in the district
in the coming years.
Region’s premier biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org) in partnership with Chhaygaon Circle Office, Assam Forest School,
Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), BNHS, and
Bonyabondhu organised the event that was attended by a large number of Gram
Pradhans of Chhaygaon Circle, as well as members of local communities. The
programme was supported by Oriental Bird Club.
Vultures have an important ecological role in nature of keeping the environment
disease-free. They are known as nature’s cleaning crew. Now, vultures are struggling
for their survival for various reasons.
The population of our resident vultures has almost collapsed during the previous two
decades. Few species, such as the Slender-billed Vulture, have populations of less than
900 birds across its distribution ranges.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicines such as Diclofenac, Aceclofenac,
Ketoprofen, and Nimesulide, which are used to treat bovine pain and fever, have been
identified as a primary cause of the vulture tragedy.
While the Government of India has prohibited the use of all of the NSAIDs listed above
for veterinary purposes, poisonings caused by pesticides such as organophosphates
and carbofuran remained. Estimates of loss in respect of vulture populations have been
put at around Rs 20 crore that is required deal with the rabies crisis alone, with the
human cost through increased incidence of disease being as high as 48,000 deaths per
year in India. The rate of increase of rabies has direct relation with the decline of
Vulture population.
A Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, recognised by the DSIR, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of
India,Registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 with registration number 3096 of 1989-90
In Kamrup District, hundreds of vultures died in the previous decade and a half as a
result of devouring pesticide-laced carcasses. These poisoning incidents are mainly the
result of some members of the communities attempting to combat cattle predation by
wild carnivores and feral dogs mentioned by one of the Gram Pradhans attending the
programme.
In his address, Chiranjib Das, Circle Officer of Chhaygaon Revenue Circle, urged
everyone to contribute towards vulture conservation and emphasized that Gram
Pradhans could play a pivotal role in spreading the conservation message across
villages. He also assured full support and necessary assistance for vulture conservation
efforts.
Dr Dipankar Lahkar, Senior conservation biologist and Assistant Director of Aaranyak
said that the Kamrup district is very sensitive to vulture conservation. We have lost at
least 600 vultures in the last one and a half decades owing to chemical poisoning.
Educating people and increasing their participation in vulture conservation is critical
for the future of vultures. “We are attempting to bring everyone on board through our
flagship Sagun Mitra and Nest Guardianship initiatives,” Dr. Lahkar said adding that
poison-free food shall rebuild the vulture population.
The programme began with singing of the National Anthem, led by students from
Guwahati College, Arya Vidyapith College, and Handique Girls' College. Dharanidhar
Boro, Assam Gaurav Awardee, interacted with the participants and administrated a
green oath targeting vulture conservation.
Dr Dipankar Lahkar, engaged with the audience using unique IEC material designed to
promote the conservation message of vultures, discussing conservation challenges
associated with vulture decrease and potential solutions.
Jayanta Kumar Pathak, Assistant Director of Aaranyak stretching on the convergence of
vulture conservation with panchayat level planning for institutionalisation of
conservation efforts.
During the occasion, vulture-preferred nesting tree saplings were presented to the
audience. The plants were provided by the Assam Forest School. Dimpi Borah, IFS,
Director of the Assam Forest School, has spearheaded to establish Assam's first nursery
with the goal of raising vulture nesting tree saplings at the Assam Forest School. The
nursery raised over 80% saplings preferred by vultures like that of Simolu, Arjun,
Jamuk for distribution and plantation.
Dr Manisha Sharma, Samiran Kalita of ASTEC, Panchali Hazarika and Dharmendra
Baruah of Assam Forest Department, Prasanna Kalita and Parash Moni Rabha of
Bonyabondhu, Nitul Kalita and Wasima Begum of Aaranyak were also present in the
occasion.