Authors :
Dr. Monika Rajawat; Dr. Abhimanyue Singh Rathore
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/yc2wk2y4
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/34zanddr
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec187
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Abstract :
Vultures, critical components of the ecosystem as natural scavengers, are facing a severe crisis across the Indian
subcontinent, with Southern Rajasthan being no exception. This paper explores the alarming decline of these critical
scavengers, delving into the main culprits behind their vanishing numbers: the pervasive use of the veterinary drug
diclofenac, widespread habitat loss, and other human-induced pressures in Southern Rajasthan. It further examines the
current status of key vulture species in the region, assesses the effectiveness of existing conservation initiatives, and proposes
future strategies for their recovery. The study emphasizes the urgent need for sustained efforts, including strict enforcement
of drug bans, community engagement, and habitat restoration, to prevent the local extinction of these ecologically vital birds.
Keywords :
Vulture Decline, Southern Rajasthan, Diclofenac, Conservation, Gyps Species, Habitat Loss.
References :
- Saran, R.P., Joshi, H., Purohit, A.(2015). A Report on Successful Rescue of Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus At Jodhpur, Rajasthan. International Journal of Pure and Applied Zoology, 3(1), 13-16.
- Mundy, P., Butchart, D., Ledger, J.A., and Piper, S.E. (1992). The vultures of South Africa. South Africa: Acorn Books; 368-370.
- Prakash, V., Pain, D.J., Cunningham, A.A., Donald, P.F., Prakash, N., Verma, A., Gargi, R., Sivakumar, S. and Rahmani, A.R. (2003). Catastrophic Collapse of Indian White-backed Gyps bengalensis and long-billed Gyps indicus vulture populations. Biological Conservation, 109:381-390.
- Prakash V, Green RE. Pain DJ, Ranade SP, Saravanan S., (2007). Recent changes in population of resident Gyps Vultures in India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 104 (2): 127-133.
- Oaks, J.L., Gilbert, M., Virani, M.Z., Watson, R.T. and Meteyer, C.U., Rideout, B.A., Shivaprasad, H.L., Ahmed, S., Chaudry, M.J.I., Arshad, M., Mahmood, S., Ali, A. & Khan, A.A. (2004). Diclofenac residues as the cause of population declines of vultures in Pakistan. Nature; 427: 630-633.
- Green, R.E., Newton, I., Shultz, S., Cunningham, A.A., Gilbert, M., Pain, D.J., & Prakash, V. (2004). Diclofenac poisoning as a cause of vulture population declines across the Indian subcontinent. Journal of Applied Ecology, 41(5), 793-800.
- Swan, G., Naidoo, V., Cuthbert, R., Green, R. E., Pain, D. J., Senacha, D., & Wolter, K. (2006). Toxicity of diclofenac and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to Gyps vultures. PLoS Biology, 4(3), e66.
- Mongabay-India. (2025, June 3). Vulture conservation needs more than drug bans.Retrieved from https://india.mongabay.com/2025/06/vulture-conservation-needs-more-than-drug-bans/
- Chhangani, A. K. (2021). Gyps Vulture Telemetry Research Proposal Type of protected area's in India to conserve the Biodiversity. Retrieved from https://www.mgsubikaner.ac.in/PDF/63d8a3b76ca7f.pdf
- Chisty, N. & Choudhary, N.( 2020). Successful Breeding Rate and Population Status of Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) at Kailashpuri, Udaipur district, Rajasthan. Environment and Ecology, 38(4):929-936.
- Suthar, S., Sharma, A., Chauhan, P.S., Chauhan, K., Nagar, B. and Maurya, I.B.(2020). Assessment of Diversity, population and related threats to vultures in Hadoti region of Rajasthan. Int. J.Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci. 9(12):1302-1309.
- Pandey, S.(2022). A short review on depicting major threats to Vultures in India. Prithviya, An Official Newsletter of WCB Research Foundation and WCB Research Lab. 2(2):24-33.
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). (2018). ACTION PLAN FOR VULTURE CONSERVATION IN INDIA. Retrieved from https://moef.gov.in/uploads/2018/03/vulture_plan.pdf
- Central Zoo Authority (CZA). (2024). Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme. Retrieved from https://cza.nic.in/uploads/documents/publications/hindi/2012%20(2).pdf
- Jorbeer Conservation Reserve Bikaner: A Haven for Vultures and Wildlife (2024). Retrieved from https://www.rajasthanbhumitours.com/blog/rajasthan-tourism/jorbeer-conservation-reserve-bikaner/
- Rajasthan village teams up to revive dhok trees, vultures (2023). Retrieved from https://villagesquare.in/rajasthan-village-teams-up-to-revive-dhok-trees-vultures/
- SAVE Vultures. (2020, November 20). Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India, 2020‐2025.
Vultures, critical components of the ecosystem as natural scavengers, are facing a severe crisis across the Indian
subcontinent, with Southern Rajasthan being no exception. This paper explores the alarming decline of these critical
scavengers, delving into the main culprits behind their vanishing numbers: the pervasive use of the veterinary drug
diclofenac, widespread habitat loss, and other human-induced pressures in Southern Rajasthan. It further examines the
current status of key vulture species in the region, assesses the effectiveness of existing conservation initiatives, and proposes
future strategies for their recovery. The study emphasizes the urgent need for sustained efforts, including strict enforcement
of drug bans, community engagement, and habitat restoration, to prevent the local extinction of these ecologically vital birds.
Keywords :
Vulture Decline, Southern Rajasthan, Diclofenac, Conservation, Gyps Species, Habitat Loss.