Published on: January 16, 2026

INDIA’S FIRST VULTURE CONSERVATION PORTAL

INDIA’S FIRST VULTURE CONSERVATION PORTAL

News: India’s first vulture conservation portal launched in Assam. Developed by We Foundation India in collaboration with Gauhati University (Dept. of Zoology)’

vulture conservation portal

  • Aim: Build a national network of conservationists, researchers, academicians, students, and citizens to save vultures
  • Launched ahead of International Vulture Awareness Day (1st Saturday of September).
  • Portal will disseminate information in local languages (starting with Assamese) to involve grassroots communities.

Vultures Matter

  • Ecological role: Scavengers → dispose of carcasses quickly.
  • Prevent spread of diseases (anthrax, rabies, plague).
  • Economic role: Reduce costs of carcass disposal.
  • Prevent livestock-related epidemics → protects rural economy.

Vulture Crisis in India

  • In the 1990s, India had 40 million vultures.
  • By 2000s, numbers declined by 97-99%.
  • Main reason: Diclofenac, a veterinary painkiller used in cattle.
  • Harmless to cattle but fatal to vultures (causes kidney failure).
  • Other threats: Habitat loss, electrocution from power lines, food scarcity (decline in free grazing cattle), poaching & poisoning

Conservation Efforts So Far

  • Ban on Diclofenac (2006): Veterinary use prohibited; Meloxicam promoted as safe alternative.
  • Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ): Declared in several states (Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, etc.).
  • Captive Breeding Centres: Established in Haryana (Pinjore), West Bengal, Assam, Madhya Pradesh.
  • National Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (2020–25): Safe zones, captive breeding, awareness & monitoring.
  • IUCN Status of Indian Vultures: White-rumped vulture, Slender billed vulture, Red-headed vulture → Critically Endangered.

Significance of the Portal

  • First-of-its-kind platform for vulture conservation in India.
  • Creates a network of organisations & individuals (e.g., Assam Bird Monitoring Network, LASA Foundation, Suraksha Samitee).
  • Local language outreach: Ensures awareness among rural people who directly interact with livestock & carcasses.
  • Promotes citizen science: Students, researchers, birdwatchers can share data.
  • Supports policy inputs for better conservation measures.