LUCKNOW: Vultures are not only lesser spotted but also little is known about them. The first scientific study of vultures in Uttar Pradesh will help find out more on the threatened beings. It is expected to be done around mid-Jaunary.
It was planned around December initially because that is the time when the eggs are laid.
The exercise would be state-wide and done using GIS mapping.
Vulture census and survey is the project of the UP state biodiversity board which will be carried out by the Institute of Wildlife Sciences (IWS), Lucknow University.
"We will seek board's permission to do it around mid-January after the Sarus census is done," said Prof Amita Kannaujia, coordinator, IWS, LU.
Forest department's field staff including guards, rangers and DFOs was done in September where they were told to identify one specie of Vulture from another.
The staff was also told about the possible hide-outs and habitats of different species. The nesting, roosting, breeding and mating sites have to be identified.
Vultures are decreasing in UP given the threats. Taditionally found in the Terai and Bundelkhand region, sightings have reduced of late even in these regions.
Besides habitat destruction vultures are killed for skin and eyes (its believed one can locate a treasure by using 'surma' prepared by using eyes of the vulture).
To revive and conserve its population, the foremost need is to have data on its numbers, spread, density, behaviour and habitat.
Vultures are monogamous. The pair that is formed, after a long courtship, where the interested ones fly together in 'tandem' and are into allopreening (preening and grooming each other's skin or feathers), is for a lifetime.
Besides, the permanent residents of UP have a darker skin while the migratory ones have pink feet.
Facts like these and many more on vultures' behaviour would come out in the first statewide survey.