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Friday, March 29, 2024

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Friday, March 29, 2024

What is it with Nature’s Clean Up Crew?

We have a unique planet where every living form is uniquely connected through the food chain or food web.

By Maitphang Syiem

At the outset as you begin to ponder and wrestle upon the title of this write about you may perhaps wonder what it is, but the assumed link which you would inquisitively relate by now is on the word “Nature” and if that’s so kudos to you. So let us unfold the message by reminding ourselves on the recent unexpected yet surprising event where the social media was rife with the visual cover of the avian visitors who flew distances in dire need of help, perhaps conveying us a message that there is something bad happening to them. These visitors are none other than the Vultures and particularly with the species that was recorded in the recent visuals at Demthring, East Jaintia Hills District they are called the “Himalayan Griffon Vultures” (Gyps himalayensis) which are migratory in nature with Near Threatened IUCN Status.

In the context of Vultures distribution there are 23 types of their kind divided into the Old World Vultures (Accipitridae) found in the Africa, Asia and Europe and the New World Vultures (Cathartidae) spanned across the Americas and Caribbeans out of which 9 species are found in India where 6 are native and 3 are migratory. Interestingly these bird species are commonly referred to as the “Nature’s Clean Up Crew” because of their scavenging nature. Their scavenging activity is the most talked about subject as it is this unique activity that is benefitting nature, sustaining the interconnected living things and maintaining the ecological balance.

We have a unique planet where every living form is uniquely connected through the food chain or food web. This wonderful engineering is something to contemplate isn’t it, give a thought on how we humans are also part of this indispensable nature’s network perhaps this will draw us closer towards it.

Furthermore these “Raptors” are carrion eaters, they feed on dead carcasses in the wild or in the domesticated areas which naturally cleans up the environment and prevent the spread of diseases which can be transmitted from the carcasses. At this juncture one may hypothetically think what will happen to the Vultures if they feed on naturally infected carcasses, the answer will be negative, nothing will happen to them, they have a unique digestion system that is exceedingly acidic which can dissolve anything that enters their gut where even bones are not spared.

The Vultures gut is a burning hot engine that no viruses, bacteria, fungi can escape once entered and this is something which is helpful in preventing the animal to animal or animal to human transmission of diseases therefore holistically protecting the environment and humans. They also have a unique way of self-defence when threatened that is by vomiting their highly acidic content and this act is frequently seen with the Turkey Vulture species.

Reiterating on the scavenging activity of these Vultures, it is indeed a blessing in disguise as they play a vital role in the ecology which further designates them as species of ecological importance but in the recent years their presence as recorded appears to be declining to an extent which is trending towards extinction and having realised of their ecological importance isn’t the scenario of grave concern to all of us? Their fast-declining rate is the subject of debate discussed by many ecologists, wildlife conservationists.

As per estimated records the native Indian species were once in abundance to the tune of almost 40 million in the 80s and early 90s but in the mid 90s onwards their number drastically dwindled to about 1 lakh. Isn’t quite shocking? Furthermore they appear to be the fastest declining species. So, what could be the reason? Are the species threatened to the brink of extinction? On account of the recorded statistics, its obvious they are critically endangered and threatened and for this very reason, concerted efforts were taken to protect, to sustainably revive the endangered Raptors population.

As laymen the first step we need to do is to cultivate awareness among ourselves about their ecological importance and this goes in understanding the other living forms as well. We need to also understand that the existence of such species (keystone species) also defines the health of nature as they act as natural health indicators of the ecosystem.

The rigorous research and study by various researchers indicated that the use of NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) for veterinary purposes was the sole culprit for the unintentional deaths of the Vulture population found in India. As mentioned earlier no viruses, no bacteria, can harm the gut of the Vultures, however they cannot resist the effect of Diclofenac, a drug used for anti-inflammatory treatment in cattle. The vultures on feeding on carcasses that contain Diclofenac, they get affected, their kidneys and the intestines become inflamed which eventually kills the Vultures. Soon after, the Indian Government, with concrete evidence, notified and put a ban on the use of Diclofenac in 2006. However, this was one of the sole reasons, but the continuous unsustainable anthropogenic activities have also affected the existence of the Raptors.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature maintains a Red list status of the 9 vulture species found in India, 4 species namely the White rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, Red-headed are critically endangered, while the Egyptian Vulture is Endangered, the Himalayan Griffon, Cinereous Vulture and Bearded Vulture are Near Threatened and lastly the Eurasian Griffon Vulture which is least concerned.

On the part of the wildlife conservationists front research, ground truthing and awareness programmes are rigorously taken up to protect these ecological scavengers and much further on a positive note the Indian Government is politically and financially supporting the cause of conserving these Vulture Species.

In 2006 the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India having realised the threat, thereafter, released the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation with major objectives of monitoring and reviving the habitat of the Vulture Species, raising awareness etc. The Action Plan proved to be successful however to further improve the success of the existing plan it was reinforced with another version which was released in 2020 Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025 paramount steps such as prevention of poisoning of Vultures food, testing of NSAIDs, Removal of drugs that are potentially dangerous to the Vultures, establishment of breeding centres and rescue centres across India, (for NE region we have Guwahati as one of the rescue centres) the plan also proposes nation-wide surveys and to have a Vulture Safe Zone in each state.

Apart from the existing threat, Climate Change is also one factor which is affecting every living form. It is an impending disaster which can take a toll on the habitat of the Vultures, and which is even more aggravated by unsustainable anthropogenic activities. in the context of Meghalaya in the recent budget 15% was allocated towards climate change, it is indeed an imperative step where nature is kept at forefront, and we hope it is effectively put for the cause. Meghalaya is blessed with nature’s abundance and particularly with Avifauna we have about 9 Important Birds Area (IBA) spanned across the state which in a way are “Essential Life Support Areas”(ELSAs) and with the kind of budget that was put forward we need to unfold many other ELSAs that are crucial in sustaining Meghalaya’s flora and fauna ecosystems this also goes in identifying areas safe for the migratory Vultures visiting our state and with the right political drive and collective participatory approach we will never be far from achieving the real good cause, therefore let us “lock and load” and “gird up one’s loins”.

(The writer is a Geospatial Expert and can be reached at [email protected])

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