Indian Vulture (Indian Long-Billed Vulture) 2024

The Indian vulture (Gyps indicus), also known as the Indian long-billed vulture, is a critical scavenger species essential for maintaining ecological balance. With its population dramatically declining over the decades, this bird’s story is a grim reminder of the need for urgent conservation efforts.

Characteristics and Physical Description

Physical Features

Distinctive Appearance: The Indian vulture is characterized by bald head and neck with sparse white hair, which is a common trait among vultures to help maintain hygiene while feeding on carcasses.
Coloration: Adults display pale plumage with pale body feathers and wing coverts. They also possess a pale-colored bill, distinguishing them from other vulture species.
Size and Wingspan:
Weight: 5.5-6.5 kg, making it a medium-sized but bulky scavenger.
Wingspan: 2-2.5 meters, which aids its soaring flight patterns while searching for food.
Sexual Dimorphism: Females are smaller than males, a trait typical of the species.

Dietary Habits

Indian vultures are obligate scavengers, feeding exclusively on the carcasses of dead animals.
Their efficient feeding habits play a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases from decomposing organic matter.

Ecological Role of Indian Vultures

Vultures are often underappreciated for their vital contributions to ecosystems.

Key Roles in Ecosystems

Efficient Carcass Disposal: Vultures consume dead animals, preventing the accumulation of decaying matter in the environment.
Disease Prevention: By rapidly consuming carcasses, vultures help control the spread of diseases such as anthrax, botulism, and rabies, which could otherwise infect wildlife, livestock, and humans.
Nutrient Recycling: Their feeding accelerates the breakdown of organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting plant life.
Biodiversity Support: Vultures maintain ecological balance by keeping the food chain free of pathogens, thus supporting healthier biodiversity.

Impact of Their Decline

Without vultures:

Decomposition times for carcasses increase, attracting other scavengers that may not be as efficient in controlling diseases.
Human and wildlife health risks escalate due to increased exposure to pathogens.

Habitat and Lifestyle

Habitat Preferences

Indian vultures thrive in open habitats, such as savannas, grasslands, agricultural fields, villages, and urban areas.
They are also found in wooded ravines, valleys, and deciduous forests, often nesting in trees or cliffs at various elevations.

Lifestyle and Behavior

Social Structure:— They are social birds often seen in groups around food sources.
Activity Patterns:— Indian vultures are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, spending much of their time soaring in search of carcasses.
Vocalizations:— Usually silent, they emit grunts and hisses when feeding or interacting with others.
Range:— While non-migratory, they can travel up to 100 km daily in search of food.

Geographic Range and Population Decline

Historical and Current Distribution

Native to India, Pakistan, and Nepal, Indian vultures were once widespread across these regions.
The population has suffered an alarming decline of over 97% since the mid-1990s, with key areas like the Keoladeo National Park witnessing a plummet from 816 birds in 1985 to just 25 in 1999.

Current Status

Small populations persist in regions like:

Ramanagaram Hills, Karnataka
Nilgiri Forest Division, Tamil Nadu
Recently discovered breeding colonies near the India-Pakistan border in Bikaner District, Rajasthan.
Indian vultures are now considered rare across their historical range.

Breeding and Reproduction

Nesting Habits: Indian vultures nest in colonies, often at elevated locations like cliffs or tall trees.
Reproductive Rate: They lay only one egg per breeding season (November to March), making population recovery slow.
Parental Care: Both parents are involved in incubation and feeding the chick, ensuring higher survival rates for their offspring.

Threats to Survival

The Indian vulture faces a range of threats, many of which are human-induced.

Key Threats

1. Diclofenac Poisoning:

The primary cause of decline is the use of diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug administered to livestock.
When vultures consume carcasses of animals treated with this drug, they suffer acute kidney failure and die.

2. Environmental Toxins: Accumulation of pesticides and other toxins in the environment harms vulture populations.

3. Carcass Availability:

Shifts in carcass disposal methods have reduced the availability of food for vultures.
Religious and cultural practices, such as those in certain communities, are also declining, further limiting food sources.

4. Habitat Loss: Urbanization and deforestation are destroying natural nesting and feeding grounds.

5. Veterinary Drugs: Apart from diclofenac, other toxic drugs continue to harm vulture populations.

Conservation Status

Legal and Conservation Framework

IUCN Red List:— Listed as Critically Endangered (CR).
CITES:— Included in Appendix I, which prohibits international trade of this species.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:— Classified under Schedule I, granting it the highest level of protection in India.

Conservation Efforts

Recognizing the alarming decline in vulture populations, India has initiated targeted conservation programs.

Vulture Action Plan (2020-25)

Launched by:— Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
Objective:— To prevent the extinction of vultures and ensure their long-term survival.

Key Measure:—

Banning the veterinary use of diclofenac.
Promoting the use of vulture-safe drugs like meloxicam.
Establishing vulture breeding centers and rehabilitation programs.
Raising awareness about the ecological importance of vultures.

Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs)

Designated areas where the use of harmful drugs is monitored and reduced to ensure safe habitats for vultures.

Ex-Situ Conservation

Captive Breeding Programs: Successful breeding initiatives have been established to boost populations and release vultures into the wild.
Examples: Centers in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Way Forward for Indian Vulture Conservation

(1.) Strengthening Legislation and Policies

Enforcing strict bans on toxic veterinary drugs.
Implementing nationwide carcass disposal protocols to ensure safe food availability for vultures.

(2.) Community Participation

Engaging local communities in vulture conservation efforts.
Encouraging traditional practices that support scavenger species, such as leaving animal carcasses in open fields.

(3.) Research and Monitoring

Conducting population surveys and ecological studies to understand vulture behavior and habitat needs.
Monitoring the effectiveness of conservation programs through periodic reviews.

(4.) Global Collaboration

Partnering with international organizations for technical expertise and funding.
Learning from successful conservation models implemented in other countries.

(5.) Public Awareness

Launching educational campaigns to highlight the importance of vultures in ecosystems.
Encouraging public support for conservation efforts.

Conservation Through Reintroduction and Safe Zones

The dramatic decline of vultures in India has had profound ecological consequences. To counteract this, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), alongside government initiatives, has spearheaded efforts to reintroduce and conserve vulture populations through targeted programs and awareness campaigns.

Vulture Reintroduction Programme by BNHS

Under its conservation initiative, BNHS has launched a vulture reintroduction program, with key actions focused on releasing captive-bred vultures into the wild.

Soft Release in Maharashtra’s Tiger Reserves

Soft Release of Vultures:— Twenty vultures, representing species such as the white-rumped, slender-billed, and long-billed vultures, were reintroduced into the Tadoba and Pench tiger reserves in Maharashtra.
Planned Expansion:— Additional vultures bred at BNHS centers will be reintroduced in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and other locations in Maharashtra.
Strategy:— The release strategy involves placing vultures in tiger habitats with large prey bases. This ensures a consistent food source, as vultures can scavenge the remains of prey killed by predators like tigers, leopards, and wild dogs. This sustains their population while contributing to the carbon and nitrogen cycles in the ecosystem.

BNHS’s Role and Legacy

Founded in 1883, BNHS is one of India’s most prominent non-governmental organizations dedicated to conservation and biodiversity research.
Its focus on science-based conservation has garnered international recognition, especially for its vulture breeding and conservation efforts.

Reasons Behind the Decline of Vulture Populations

India’s vulture population suffered a catastrophic decline during the 1980s and 1990s, with a 99% decrease by 2007. Several factors contributed to this alarming trend:

Primary Cause: Diclofenac Poisoning

What is Diclofenac?
Diclofenac is a veterinary drug widely used to treat cattle.
Impact on Vultures:— Vultures feeding on carcasses of animals treated with diclofenac suffered acute kidney failure, leading to mass fatalities.
Magnitude of Decline:— The crisis led to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifying Indian vultures as Critically Endangered, declaring them “only one step away from total extinction.”
Ban on Diclofenac:— Responding to this crisis, the Government of India (GoI) banned the veterinary use of diclofenac in 2006. However, illegal use of the drug persists, posing ongoing threats.

Other Causes

1. Habitat Loss:

Urbanization and deforestation have reduced natural nesting and feeding grounds.

2. Starvation:

Farmers now bury their livestock carcasses instead of leaving them in the open, depriving vultures of a crucial food source.
Changes in traditional practices have diminished food availability in agricultural areas.

3. Secondary Threats:

Use of other veterinary drugs toxic to vultures.
Environmental toxins accumulating in vulture habitats.

Consequences of Vulture Depopulation

The loss of vultures has had cascading ecological and public health impacts:

Ecological Impacts

Unmanaged Carcasses:— The absence of vultures means animal carcasses are left to decompose in the open, contaminating soil and water resources.
Proliferation of Scavengers:—

Rats and wild dogs have filled the void left by vultures, leading to an overpopulation of these species.
These scavengers are less efficient at disposing of carcasses and often spread diseases.

Public Health Impacts

1. Spread of Diseases:

Without vultures, pathogens in carcasses remain active, increasing risks of diseases like anthrax, botulism, and rabies.
Unlike vultures, whose metabolism neutralizes pathogens, scavengers like dogs and rats act as carriers, exacerbating health risks for humans and livestock.

2. Contaminated Water Sources

Rotting carcasses often leach harmful substances into groundwater, further threatening rural communities reliant on these resources.

BNHS’s Conservation Efforts

To reverse the vulture population crash, BNHS has adopted a multi-pronged approach:

Breeding Programs

Partnership with Forest Departments:— BNHS collaborates with the forest departments of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, and Haryana to breed vultures in captivity.
Achievements:—
These programs have gained international attention for their scientific rigor and success in breeding Critically Endangered vulture species.
Captive breeding has been particularly successful in centers established in key states like Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

Awareness Campaigns

Community Sensitization:— BNHS teams educate villagers, cattle owners, and local communities about the ecological role of vultures.
Survey Efforts:— Pharmacy surveys and carcass sampling help identify harmful drug use and reduce risks to vultures.

Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs)

Concept: Creating safe zones free from harmful veterinary drugs and environmental toxins within a 100-km radius of vulture release sites.
Current Focus Areas:- BNHS is establishing VSZs in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam to ensure vultures thrive in the wild.

Tracking and Monitoring

Reintroduced vultures are tagged with GPS or satellite devices to monitor their movements, survival rates, and habitat preferences.

International Collaboration and Recognition

BNHS’s vulture conservation efforts have attracted global attention, particularly at the World Species Congress:

World Species Congress:— Hosted by the IUCN and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, this congress brought together conservationists, wildlife experts, and policymakers.
Objective:— To develop a coordinated strategy for species recovery, including vultures.

The Way Forward for Vulture Reintroduction Programme

1. Strengthening Conservation Measures

(i) Legislative Actions:

Enforcing stricter bans on toxic veterinary drugs like diclofenac.
Encouraging the use of safer alternatives like meloxicam.

(ii) Expanded Breeding Programs:

Scaling up vulture breeding centers and improving genetic diversity.
Establishing additional centers in high-priority states.

2. Habitat and Food Source Management

(i) Sustainable Carcass Disposal:

Collaborating with farmers to ensure safe and consistent food availability for vultures.

(ii) Habitat Restoration:

Protecting nesting sites and creating artificial nesting platforms in degraded areas.

3. Public Engagement

Educational Campaigns: Raising awareness about vultures’ ecological role and the risks of their extinction.
Community Participation: Incentivizing farmers and local communities to support vulture conservation efforts.

Table: Vultures Found in India

Type	Species	Native Range/Distribution	IUCN Status	CITES	WPA, 1972
Resident	White-Rumped Vulture	South and Southeast Asia (formerly common in the Gangetic plains)	CR (Critically Endangered)	Appendix II	Schedule I
Resident	Indian Vulture/Long-Billed Vulture	India, Pakistan, and Nepal	CR (Critically Endangered)	Appendix II	Schedule I
Resident	Slender-Billed Vulture	Sub-Himalayan regions and Southeast Asia	CR (Critically Endangered)	Appendix II	Schedule I
Resident	Red-Headed Vulture/Asian King Vulture/Indian Black Vulture/Pondicherry Vulture	Indian subcontinent	CR (Critically Endangered)	Appendix II	Schedule I
Resident	Bearded Vulture	High mountains of South Europe, East Africa, Indian subcontinent, Tibet, and Caucasus	NT (Near Threatened)	Appendix II	Schedule I
Resident	Egyptian Vulture/Scavenger Vulture/Pharaoh’s Chicken	Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, and India	EN (Endangered)	Appendix II	Schedule I
Migratory	Cinereous Vulture/Black Vulture/Monk Vulture	Temperate Eurasia	NT (Near Threatened)	Appendix II	Schedule I
Migratory	Eurasian Griffon Vulture	Temperate Eurasia	LC (Least Concern)	Appendix II	Schedule I
Migratory	Himalayan Griffon Vulture	Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau	NT (Near Threatened)	Appendix II	Schedule I

Daily Mains Practice Questions

UPSC (CSE) Mains Questions on Indian Vultures

General Studies Paper III: Environment and Biodiversity

[Q1.] Discuss the ecological role of vultures in maintaining ecosystem health and human well-being. Highlight the consequences of their population decline in India. (250 words)

[Q2.] Explain the reasons behind the sharp decline in the Indian vulture population. What measures have been taken to counter this trend? Critically analyze their effectiveness. (250 words)

[Q3.] The Indian vulture is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN. Discuss the threats faced by this species and suggest innovative solutions to ensure its conservation. (250 words)

[Q4.] What is the significance of vultures in nutrient cycling and disease control? How has their absence impacted rural and urban sanitation in India? (150 words)

[Q5.] Examine the role of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in the conservation of vultures in India. How can community participation enhance the outcomes of such initiatives? (250 words)

[Q6.] How do international agreements like CITES and domestic policies such as the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 contribute to the conservation of Indian vultures? Critically evaluate their enforcement. (250 words)

[Q7.] Analyze the impact of veterinary drugs like Diclofenac on vulture mortality in India. Suggest sustainable alternatives to mitigate these effects. (150 words)

[Q8.] Discuss the Vulture Action Plan (2020–2025) initiated by the Government of India. How does it address the challenges of vulture conservation? (250 words)

[Q9.] With reference to migratory and resident vulture species in India, highlight the role of migratory patterns in vulture conservation strategies. (150 words)

[Q10.] Explain the significance of creating ‘Vulture Safe Zones’ in India. How can technological tools like satellite tracking aid in the success of such programs? (250 words)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Indian Vulture (Indian Long-Billed Vulture) :

1. Why are vultures crucial for the environment?

Answer:—

Vultures play a vital role in:

Disease control:— They consume decomposing carcasses, preventing the spread of diseases like anthrax and rabies.
Ecosystem health:— By efficiently disposing of dead animals, vultures prevent environmental contamination.
Nutrient cycling:— They recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, promoting ecological balance.

2. What led to the sharp decline in the Indian vulture population?

Answer:—

Diclofenac toxicity: Consumption of livestock carcasses treated with this veterinary drug caused kidney failure in vultures.
Habitat loss: Urbanization and deforestation reduced nesting and foraging grounds.
Starvation: Changes in livestock disposal practices limited food availability.
Environmental toxins: Exposure to other harmful chemicals further threatened their survival.

3. What conservation measures are in place for vultures in India?

Answer:—

Vulture Action Plan (2020–2025): Aims to create vulture safe zones and ban harmful drugs.
BNHS initiatives: Breeding programs and reintroduction in tiger habitats.
Legislative protections: Listed under Schedule I of the WPA, 1972, and Appendix I/II of CITES.

4. What is Diclofenac, and how does it affect vultures?

Answer:—

Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory drug used for livestock. Vultures consuming carcasses of treated animals suffer kidney failure, leading to high mortality rates. Its veterinary use was banned in India in 2006.

5. What are ‘Vulture Safe Zones’?

Answer:—

These are areas designated within a 100 km radius around vulture release sites where:

Harmful drugs like Diclofenac are banned.
Awareness campaigns and carcass monitoring are conducted to ensure safe food availability.

6. How does the Bombay Natural History Society contribute to vulture conservation?

Answer:—

BNHS has initiated:

Captive breeding programs for critically endangered vultures.
Soft-release programs in tiger reserves.
Community awareness campaigns to protect vulture habitats and nesting sites.

7. What is the status of vultures under Indian and international laws?

Answer:—

IUCN: Most Indian vultures are listed as Critically Endangered.
CITES: Indian vultures are listed under Appendix I or II, regulating their trade
WPA, 1972: Vultures are protected under Schedule I, offering maximum legal protection in India.

Q8. What are the major resident and migratory vulture species in India?

Answer:—

Resident species: White-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, slender-billed vulture, red-headed vulture, bearded vulture, and Egyptian vulture.
Migratory species: Cinereous vulture, Eurasian griffon vulture, and Himalayan griffon vulture.

9. How do vultures aid in controlling zoonotic diseases?

Answer:—

Vultures’ highly acidic stomachs neutralize pathogens in decomposing carcasses, breaking the disease transmission cycle and protecting humans, livestock, and wildlife.

10. Why is rewilding vultures in tiger habitats significant?

Answer:—

Tiger habitats with large prey bases provide vultures with ample food sources from predator kills, ensuring their survival while completing critical ecological cycles like carbon and nitrogen recycling.

11. What is the population status of Indian vultures?

Answer:—

The population of Indian vultures has declined by over 97% since the mid-1990s, with an estimated current population of only around 30,000 individuals.

12. What is the wingspan and weight of Indian vultures?

Answer:—

Wingspan: 2–2.5 meters.
Weight: 5.5–6.5 kg.

13. What is the breeding season of Indian vultures?

Answer:—

The breeding season for Indian vultures typically occurs from November to March. They nest in colonies and lay one egg per season.

14. What are the main habitats of Indian vultures?

Answer:—

Indian vultures are found in:

Open savannas, scrublands, and deciduous forests..
Ravines, valleys, and wooded areas.
Villages, cities, and agricultural lands.

15. What are the threats to Indian vultures besides Diclofenac?

Answer:—

Other threats include:

Habitat loss: Deforestation and urbanization reduce nesting areas..
Starvation: Modern practices like burying livestock carcasses limit food sources.
Environmental toxins: Pesticides and other pollutants harm vultures.
Electrocution: Collisions with power lines are an increasing risk.

16. What is the IUCN status of Indian vultures?

Answer:—

Indian vultures are classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, which means they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

17. Why was the use of Diclofenac banned for veterinary purposes in India?

Answer:—

Studies revealed that vultures feeding on carcasses of livestock treated with Diclofenac suffered fatal kidney failure. This discovery led to the ban of the drug’s veterinary use in 2006.

18. What are the implications of vulture extinction?

Answer:—

The extinction of vultures can lead to:

Increased disease transmission through other scavengers like rats and feral dogs.
Contaminated drinking water due to rotting carcasses.
Ecosystem imbalance due to the loss of their scavenging role.

19. What is the role of vultures in nutrient cycling?

Answer:—

By consuming dead animals, vultures:

Convert organic material into nutrients.
Enhance soil fertility through the redistribution of nutrients.

20. What is the significance of GPS/satellite tagging in vulture conservation?

Answer:—

GPS or satellite tagging helps conservationists:

Monitor the movements of rewilded vultures.
Identify critical habitats and threats.
Measure the success of reintroduction programs.

21. How has the Vulture Action Plan 2020–2025 addressed the challenges of vulture conservation?

Answer:—

The plan focuses on:

Banning toxic drugs like Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac.
Expanding vulture safe zones.
Enhancing breeding and reintroduction programs.
Conducting awareness campaigns and carcass sampling.

22. Why are vultures considered obligate scavengers?

Answer:—

Vultures are obligate scavengers because they exclusively feed on carcasses, unlike other scavengers that can supplement their diet with live prey or plants.

23. How do vultures differ from other scavengers like dogs or rats in disease control?

Answer:—

Vultures’ stomach acid is highly acidic and kills almost all pathogens, whereas dogs and rats often become carriers of diseases, spreading pathogens to humans and other animals.

24. What steps has the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) taken to protect vulture nesting sites?

Answer:—

BNHS teams:

Educate locals about the importance of vultures.
Conduct carcass monitoring near nesting sites.
Collaborate with forest departments to protect nesting colonies.

25. How do vultures contribute to rural sanitation?

Answer:—

By consuming dead livestock and other animal carcasses, vultures prevent:

Rotting carcasses from contaminating water sources.
Growth of disease-carrying scavenger populations like stray dogs.

26. Why are tiger habitats ideal for reintroducing vultures?

Answer:—

Tiger habitats provide a steady food source from prey remains, ensuring vultures have enough to feed on while supporting nutrient recycling within the ecosystem.

27. How many species of vultures are found in India?

Answer:—

India is home to nine species of vultures:

Six resident species: White-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, Slender-billed vulture, Red-headed vulture, Bearded vulture, and Egyptian vulture.
Three migratory species: Cinereous vulture, Griffon vulture, and Himalayan vulture.

28. What are the distinguishing features of Indian vultures?

Answer:—

Physical traits: Bald head and neck with white hairs.
Size: Medium-sized and bulky, with a pale bill and body.
Wingspan: 2–2.5 meters, with pale wing coverts.

29. Where are small populations of Indian vultures currently found?

Answer:—

These are areas designated within a 100 km radius around vulture release sites where:

Ramanagaram Hills, Karnataka.
Nilgiri Forest Division, Tamil Nadu.
Recently discovered breeding colonies near the India-Pakistan border in Bikaner District.