Vulture Census

• 26 Feb 2025

Why in News? 

The vulture census began on 17^th February, 2025, to evaluate their population and status in Madhya Pradesh. 

Key Points  

• About: 
  • According to official information, the winter vulture census was conducted on 17, 18 and 19 February and the summer vulture census will be conducted on 29 April 2025. 
  • The vulture census is conducted twice a year in two phases.  
  • As per official information, the winter census was held on 17-19 February , 2025, while the summer census is scheduled from 29^th April, 2025. 
• Training Programs:  
  • A one-day training programme was organised by 11 master trainers for 2024-25. 
• Partner:  
  • More than 900 forest officers-staff, vulture experts and ornithologists participated in the training.  
•  Winter vulture count:  
  • The three-day winter vulture count has started at  Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary (GSWLS) in Mandsaur district . 
• According to the state forest department, a total of 12,981 vultures were found in the state. 
•  Historical perspective: 
  • The vulture census in Madhya Pradesh was conducted for the first time in 2016, when there were 6,999 vultures in the state. 
  • After this, calculations have also been done for the years 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2025. 

 Vultures

• About  
  • Vultures play an important role in the ecosystem because they eat dead organisms. 
  • These act as natural scavengers . 
  • They mainly live in  tropical and subtropical regions. 
  • India is home to nine species of vultures such as Oriental White-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and Eurasian Griffon. 
  • Vultures lay eggs only once a year and this process takes place on rocks or tall trees. The average lifespan of a vulture is 15 to 30 years . 
• Decrease in numbers 
  • The main reason for the decline in their numbers was the widespread use of the painkiller diclofenac in animal treatments in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 
  • This resulted in populations decreasing by more than 97% in some areas, causing an ecological crisis. 

Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in northwestern Madhya Pradesh (Mandsaur and Neemuch districts) near the border with Rajasthan. 
• It was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1974 . 
• The Chambal River flows through the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary and divides it into two parts. 
• Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary is an important natural habitat for vultures . The region's biodiversity, towering cliffs, and abundant food supply create a perfect habitat for vultures.