Increasing number of vultures in Kanchanpur encourage conservationists

KANCHANPUR, September 3: Conservationists are encouraged with the rising vulture population. Vultures are fed on dead animals and are regarded as the natural scavengers. 

Earlier, the record suggested that the presence of vultures was at an extinct.  But with the efforts launched to conserve the bird facing the risk of extinction have led to the significant rise in its population.  

In 2010, the sole habitat of vulture was found here, but now the situation is different but encouraging. The finding of 50 nests has suggested the increasing number of birds in the district. 

Nepal Bird Conservation's conservationist Hirulal Chaudhary said ," The development can be taken positively.  The bird's population had significantly dropped in the past two decades, making the people concerned disappointed.  Its number has now increased from 10 to 200." 

The ban on the use of diclofenac, the anti-inflammatory drugs,  has led to the rise in the number of vulture population.  The study conducted in Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan showed that vultures feeding on carcass with the residues of diclofence had died due to heart attack.  

It was a really challenging to protect the animal from feeding on carcasses treated with diclofenac drugs, he said.   Now alternative drug to diclofenac is used for animals and that drugs is found to be no fatal to vulture.

Int'l Vulture Awareness Day being observed 
International Vulture Awareness Day is being observed at Shuklaphanta National Park today.  The Day is observed on September 3 every year. 

Information Officer at the Shuklaphanta National Park, Chaudhary, said that different programmes including spreading public awareness to conserve vulture have been organised with participation of Park Office, Nepal Army, NTNC and buffer zone committee.

He further said that activities have been forwarded to confirm the population of vulture by identifying the places where vultures are found and to find out their nest. 

Chaudhary shared that population of vulture would be find out based on head count with the help of binocular. A team has been mobilized at Park and buffer zone for the same.