Vultures on verge of extinction in Sudurpaschim

Baitadi, March 14: The vultures known as nature’s scavengers are alarmingly on the verge of extinction with dwindling nesting habitats compounded by a host of other factors in the hilly districts of Sudurpaschim including Baitadi. The vultures are vanishing due to climate change impacts, shrinking habitation, use of medicines and for lack of prey. Siddhanathdham area in Patan Municipality-8 and wards no.

3, 4, 8, 9 and 10 as well as Sigas Rural Municipality-7 and 8 are the main habitat of vultures. Likewise, Purchaudi Municipality is also considered as an appropriate site for vultures’ settlement. Ornithologist Hirulal Dagaura said that vultures are no more visible in their main settlement sites lately. According to Dagaura, vultures listed in the highly-endangered species are decreasing gradually in the recent years. “Forest fire and lack of prey are the key reasons for the reduced number of vultures in the hilly region,” he said.

The vultures are on the verge of extinction as the incidents of forest fires are quite frequent during the season of vultures’ reproduction, Dagaura added. The absence of tall trees has also deprived them of a place to build nests. According to ornithologists, the use of diclofenac medicine, a veterinary drug present in the livestock carcases that vultures scavenge, has largely contributed to causing the extinction of the bird of prey. The drug is used in the treatment of livestock.

Likewise, some vultures are electrocuted after getting in touch with the power transmission line. There are as many as 23 different species of vultures found across the globe. Among them, Nepal is the home to eight species of vultures that include Himalayan vulture, Egyptian vulture, white-rumped vulture, slender-billed vulture, red-headed vulture, cinereous vulture, griffon vulture and bearded vulture.