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Shrinking open spaces, a painkiller used to treat cattle is largely responsible.
GUWAHATI: On the occasion of the 20th International Awareness Day, environmental concerns in Assam have once again come into focus, especially because of the sharp decline in vulture populations. Once a common sight in the region, vultures are now rarely seen in Guwahati, with only a few in captivity at the Assam State Botanical Zoo.
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The main reason for this decrease is the continued use of diclofenac, a pain reliever used to treat cattle, which is fatal to twenty when they consume animal meat. Although banned, the drug continues to be used, putting the remaining eagle population at high risk.
Speaking to GPlus, Molloy Barua recalled a prominent environmentalist at a time when vultures were a familiar sight in Guwahati. "Back in the 1970s, whenever cows had accidents on the railroad tracks, eagles could be seen arriving within half an hour to clean up the carcass. It was part of the natural cycle".
Broa also pointed to the loss of habitat as another reason for the birds’ disappearance. "Eagles usually live in open areas like rice paddies, which Guwahati no longer has," he explained. In addition, he noted that many people destroy eagle nests because of the unpleasant smell of their droppings, which further reduces their chances of surviving in the city.
However, eagles are still found in other parts of Assam, including Rani, Majuli, Kaziranga and Dibro Saikawa National Park, according to Barua. Speaking to GPlus, a senior official from the Assam State Zoo confirmed that the zoo currently houses six griffin eagles.
Additionally, on April 29, a collaborative effort between the Assam Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) led to the release of 15 Himalayan vultures. These birds, which were rescued earlier this year, were rehabilitated at the Eagle Conservation Center (VCBC) in Balguri before being released back into the wild.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://guwahatiplus.com/guwahati/international-vulture-awareness-day-lament-vulture-population-declines-in-guwahati
