Vulture Conservation Program

©KB Thapa

Out of 9 species of vulture recorded in the Indian subcontinent including Nepal; 5 species are listed as globally endangered due to rapid (>95%) population decline within one decade after mid-1990s. Scientific studies proved that the use of veterinary drug Diclofenac to treat livestock is the main cause behind this decline. Livestock carcass is the main source of food in south Asia and vultures get exposed to diclofenac by feeding on livestock carcasses which contain residues of this drug. In order to halt the problems on vulture decline, several conservation activities have been initiated throughout the vulture ranges. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and the surrounding area in eastern Nepal supports an isolated breeding colony of critically endangered White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis which is the only known breeding colony in eastern Nepal after Nawalparasi district which is approximately 600 km far. Since last several years, we are working for the conservation of globally endangered vultures in Koshi. Our vulture conservation program emphasizes the community participation on conservation so that most of the conservation activities are led by the community peoples with support from the experts of Himalayan Nature. Himalayan Nature has completed the following projects under the Vulture Conservation Program. 

Projects

a. Conservation of critically endangered vultures in Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve, Nepal

b. Establishment of Vulture Restaurant in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, East Nepal

c. Strengthening Community Managed Vulture Restaurant in Sunsari District, Nepal

d. Participatory vulture conservation initiative in Koshi Tappu, eastern Nepal

e. Establishing Vulture Safe Zone in the Eastern Nepal

f. Institutional Strengthening for the Conservation of Critically Endangered Vultures in Koshi Tappu Area, Sunsari, Nepal

Now our Vulture Conservation Program is growing into "Nepal Raptor Conservation Program (NRCP)"