Team G Square: MP Diaries - Vultures of Orchha, One of the very few Vulture Sanctuaries in India

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

MP Diaries - Vultures of Orchha, One of the very few Vulture Sanctuaries in India

Indian Vultures Perched on Chaturbhuj Temple, Orchha

Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1994 along the river Betwa with the main objective of conserving the critically endangered species of Vultures. Vultures are listed as critically endangered in the International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Sadly, the vulture population declined in the 1990's due to unregulated use of the toxic diclofenac in cattle. As per vulture census conducted here in the year 2013, 125 vultures have been found belonging to 4 different species. While having a casual interaction with one of the forest guards here, we were informed that the current estimate of vultures is close to about 400 and is definitely showing an upward trend with every passing year, which is good news! While the task of working towards increasing vulture population remains challenging owing to its slow breeding rate (a female vulture lays a single egg per every breeding season), it is worthwhile noticing that much awareness is being spread around this region about the importance of vultures and their role played in balancing the environment. Bundelkhand region has many breeding sites where vultures have found a safe home for themselves. There are a few sanctuaries across India for protection and conservation of vultures, one such is found in the Ramanagar district of Karnataka.