Terai to be made safe for vultures

Time to act

The Terai region comprising Kheri, Pilibhit and Bahraich districts have a sizeable population of Indian vultures despite vulture casualties due to renal failure and visceral gout caused by diclofenac.

To strengthen the presence of the birds in the area and to make the place safe for them, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) under its Birdlife Preventing Extinction Programme (BPEP) has undertaken the project to protect and conserve the depleting population of vultures.

Nearly 500 vultures have been reported surviving in Kheri during their ongoing counting till May 15. International NGO ‘Birdlife’ has sponsored the programme and neighbouring country Nepal is also assisting it to make Terai area ‘diclofenac-free’, they said
Diclofenac is a restricted drug, banned by the government in 2006 for veterinary uses.

The BNHS has assigned Katarnighat Foundation (KGF) and Terai Nature Conservation Society (TNCS) to carry out surveys, organise public awareness campaigns and to seek active cooperation from the authorities to stop the use of diclofenac by veterinary doctors.