Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC)

• 24 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

On World Earth Day, authorities gave a major push to vulture conservation by successfully relocating 34 critically endangered vultures (20 long-billed and 14 white-rumped) from Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC) in Pinjore (Haryana) to Maharashtra. 

 Key Points 

• Sites for Wild Reintroduction: 
  • The vultures will be reintroduced into the wild across three major tiger reserves in Maharashtra: 
    • Melghat Tiger Reserve 
    • Pench Tiger Reserve 
    • Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve 
• Role of BNHS and Collaboration: 
  • The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) coordinated the transfer in collaboration with forest departments of Haryana and Maharashtra. 
    • The BNHS, a pan-India wildlife research organization, has been promoting the cause of nature conservation since 1883. 
    • Its mission is conservation of nature, primarily biological diversity through action based on research, education and public awareness. 
    • Its vision is to be an independent scientific organization with a broad based constituency, excelling in the conservation of threatened species and habitats. 
• National Network of Conservation Breeding Centres: 
  • The BNHS has established four Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centres across India: 
    • Pinjore (Haryana) 
    • Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) 
    • Rajabhatkhawa (West Bengal) 
    • Rani, Guwahati (Assam) 

 World Earth Day  

• It is celebrated every year on 22nd April with the mission of broadening, educating, and activating environmental movements worldwide.  
• Theme for 2025: "Our Power, Our Planet”- It calls on everyone to unite for renewable energy and to work toward tripling clean energy capacity by 2030.  
• The first Earth Day was observed in 1970 after Senator Gaylord Nelson witnessed the catastrophic effects of an oil spill in California.    
• This pivotal day led to the passing of significant environmental legislation in the US, including the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  
• In 1990, Earth Day became a global event with 200 million people and 141 countries participating.  
• Significance: It also offers an opportunity to celebrate green initiatives around the world and highlight ongoing efforts toward environmental protection. 

 Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre 

• About: 
  • It is a joint project of the Haryana Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). 
  • It aims to save three critically endangered vulture species—White-backed, Long-billed, and Slender-billed. 
  • The centre was initially established as the Vulture Care Centre (VCC) in September 2001. 
  • The VCC was upgraded to VCBC (later Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre - JCBC). 
• Strategic Location: 
  • The JCBC is located at village Jodhpur, near Bir Shikargaha Wildlife Sanctuary, about 8 km from Pinjore, Haryana. 
  • It spans 5 acres of land provided by the Haryana Forest Department. 
  • JCBC currently houses 160 vultures, including: 
    • 63 White-backed 
    • 74 Long-billed 
    • 21 Slender-billed 
    • 2 Himalayan Griffons 
  • It is the largest collection of these three Gyps species in one location globally.