Bhupender hails vultures for nutrient recycling

Chandigarh: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday called for creation of more vulture safe zones and development of technical capacity to aid species recovery in the wild. The Union minister for environment, forest and climate change inaugurated a national-level workshop on the theme ‘From Crisis to Recovery: Conserving India’s Vultures’ in Panchkula on the occasion of International Vulture Awareness Day.

The programme, organised in collaboration with the MoEFCC, Central Zoo Authority, Haryana Forest and Wildlife Department, Bombay Natural History Society and the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore, brought together senior forest officials, scientists, veterinarians, zoo professionals, conservation practitioners and other stakeholders to strengthen collaborative efforts for vulture conservation in India, an official statement said.

Addressing the gathering, Yadav said the government’s environment conservation approach, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is based on a holistic ecosystem-oriented conservation model and not limited to a particular species.

The minister said the approach is evident in various species conservation initiatives whether it is big cats, sloth bear, great Indian Bustard, dolphins, Gharial, wild water buffalo or vultures. India, which is home to a diverse community of resident and migratory vultures -- White-rumped, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Red-headed, Egyptian, Himalayan Griffon, Eurasian Griffon, Cinereous and Bearded Vultures -- is making efforts towards their successful conservation, he said.

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