Context:

On April 22, 2025, which was also Earth Day, a total of 34 critically endangered vultures were successfully moved from the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC) in Pinjore, Haryana, to Maharashtra. These included 20 long-billed vultures and 14 white-rumped vultures. This is an important step in India’s efforts to protect vultures and release them back into the wild.

Key Highlights:

• Species Involved:
• Long-billed Vultures (Gyps indicus)
• White-rumped Vultures (Gyps bengalensis)
  Both are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• Destination Sites:
  The vultures are being reintroduced into the wild in three tiger reserves in Maharashtra:

1.       Melghat Tiger Reserve

2.      Pench Tiger Reserve

3.      Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

Conservation Efforts

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) led the transfer, ensuring the birds' safety and well-being during the journey. The vultures, aged between two to six years, underwent comprehensive health checks before being distributed across the three locations to maintain ecological balance and support successful breeding in the wild

Conservation Significance:

• Reviving Vulture Populations:
  India has witnessed a drastic decline (over 90%) in vulture numbers since the 1990s, mainly due to diclofenac poisoning. Conservation breeding and reintroduction are essential to reversing this trend.
• Biodiversity and Ecological Balance:
  Vultures play a vital ecological role as scavengers, preventing the spread of diseases by consuming animal carcasses.
• Soft Release Protocol:
  The establishment of pre-release aviaries ensures acclimatization, increasing survival chances post-release.

Governance and Policy Dimensions:

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:
  The project operates under the legal framework of wildlife conservation in India.
• Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (APVC):
  This inter-state transfer aligns with the APVC 2020-2025, which emphasizes breeding centres, habitat protection, and safe zones free from NSAIDs like diclofenac.
• Inter-State and Inter-Agency Cooperation:
  Coordination between state wildlife boards, forest departments, and NGOs like BNHS exemplifies collaborative federalism in environmental governance.

Vultures in India

• Vultures are social, carrion-feeding birds with a vital ecological role.
• Out of 23 species worldwide, 9 are found in India.

Conservation Status of Indian Vultures

CITES: Appendix II
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Characteristics

• Large, heavy-bodied, with broad wings, bald heads, and shaggy feathers.
• Soar using thermal currents; feed mainly on carrion.
• Behavioral traits: Circle soaring, scavenging on dead animals, sometimes even garbage or excrement.

Major Threats

• Diclofenac poisoning (primary cause of decline)
• Lead poisoning from contaminated carcasses
• Electrocution, vehicle collisions, starvation, habitat loss
• Deliberate poisoning or persecution

Conclusion:

The transfer of 34 critically endangered vultures to Maharashtra marks a significant milestone in India's vulture conservation efforts. By reintroducing these birds into the wild, conservationists aim to maintain ecological balance, support successful breeding, and protect the long-billed and white-rumped vulture species from extinction.