Bhopal: Counting of vulture has been completed on Saturday all over Madhya Pradesh. It was one day affairs of Forest department. The results are expected to be released in a week. Additional PCCF Alok Kumar said, “Vultures are counted at every two years. Last time, population was 7000 in Madhya Pradesh. It was one day affair for forest department to count vulture in the state. Shivpuri, Panna are main pockets as far as population is concerned. Last time, counting was done in 2016 in the state and 7000 were found.” Gandhi Sagar, Panna, Shivpuri, Sagar, Chhindwara, Raisen are main pockets of vultures in the state.
Significance: The decline population of Indian vulture has drastically affected the conservation of the environment. By removing all carcasses, vultures had helped decrease pollution, disease spread, and suppressed undesirable mammalian scavengers. In their absence, the population of feral dogs and rats, along with their zoonotic diseases, has increased greatly.
Diclofenac induced kidney failure: Forest department is worried on decline of vulture population in Madhya Pradesh and main cause has been identified as poisoning caused by the veterinary drug diclofenac. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and when given to working animals it can reduce joint pain and so keep them working for longer. The drug is believed to be swallowed by vultures with the flesh of dead cattle which are given diclofenac. Diclofenac causes kidney failure in several species of vultures.