Clawing back

Hazaribagh, June 24: Vultures may be on the brink of extinction in the country, but its population continues to thrive in this district.

Efforts taken by Neo Human Foundation, an NGO working for vulture conservation, has given a boost to the bird population in this region. For now, there are around 200 vultures in the town and adjoining areas.

“We have not only been able to retain the number, but have also witnessed a marginal rise in the number of birds in the area,” said NGO president Satyaprakash.

Hazaribagh divisional forest officer Anil Kumar Mishra lauded the NGO for its commendable work. According to last year’s census, the vulture count was 163, which also establishes the NGO’s claim of the rise in numbers.

The NGO has been organising camps in nesting areas. “We inform villagers on how these wonderful birds actually keep an area clean of animal carcasses,” he said.

The group also urges people to not treat cattle with the banned painkiller diclofenac, as the drug remains in the flesh and affects the birds when they feed on carcasses, affecting their kidneys. “We invite untrained vets and villagers to our camps and explain why they should not use diclofenac and why they should opt for meloxicam. The latter does not cause any health hazard to the birds,” he said.