VULTURE CONSERVATION AT KAMLAPUR IN SIRONCHA FOREST DIVISION

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1 VULTURE CONSERVATION AT KAMLAPUR IN SIRONCHA FOREST DIVISION INTODUCTION: India has nine species of vultures in the wild. These are the Oriental White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Slender billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris), Long billed Vulture (Gyps indicus), Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Red Headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), Indian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis), Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) and Bearded Vulture or Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus). The population of three species i.e. White-backed Vulture, Slender billed Vulture and Long billed Vulture in the wild has declined drastically over the past decade. The decline of Gyps genus in India has been put at 97% by Decline was all over the country including Gadchiroli district as confirmed by the locals. In an effort to arrest the situation and conserve the remaining vulture population, vulture restaurants were started by the Sironcha forest department during During r restaurants were constructed, in Amdeli, Chittur, Siromncha and Pattagudam. Later on more centers were created at different places in division. VULTURE CONSERVATION IN KAMALAPUR: At Kamlapur Range there was no any record of sighting of Vultures. We sighted group of number of vultures near Chhallewada village, firstly in October It was followed by search for Vultures by the department in nearer villages like Kamlapur, Kodselgudam, Rajaram and Khandla. It resulted into sighting of vultures at Kamlapur, Kodselgudam and Khandla range. EVOLUTION OF VULTURE PROJECT: 1) First Sighting of Vulture We got first record on 8 th October 2013 of vulture in Compartment No. 144 near Chhallewada Village. Then we searched for vulture nests in surrounding area but we haven t got any.

2 First photo taken on 8 th Oct, ) Monitoring of vultures We monitored vulture in nearer area and then we got nest of vulture on a tall tree of Teak in Chhallewada village. There were two adult Vultures protecting young one. Then we monitored this tree regularly for further details about vulture group. Nest of Vulture 3) Discussion with Local villagers about Vultures and their sighting For a long duration, we did not get any new record of vultures in this area. Then we conducted a survey in all nearer villages like Kamlapur, Kodselgudam, Rajaram and Khandla which resulted into sighting of Vultures in Khandla. Villagers informed that earlier villagers used to put dead cattle at common place which is situated out of village. Such dead bodies were locally called as Dhorpoli. Villagers saw gidhad (vulture) before 7-8 years at Dhorpoli.

3 4) Monitoring at Dhorpoli Dhorpoli sites were the first clue for survey of vultures. We monitored all Dhorpoli sites at villages of Kamlapur, Kodselgudam and Khandla where we got the new records of Vultures. Vulture feeding on Carcass 5) Discussion with Veterinary Doctors, LDO and villagers about cattle treatment For the safety of vultures, we discussed with Diclofenac issue with local Livestock Development Officers (LDO) of Kamlapur and Rajaram. They told us that there is no any record of using diclofenac for treatment of cattle. Besides, Government of Maharashtra has already banned Diclofenac for Veterinary use. 6) Need of Vulture Restaurants Monitored dhorpoli revealed that they were disturbed by dogs badly. When a pack of dogs come to dead animal vultures have to wait for feeding. So, we planned for safe place of feeding of vultures as Vulture Restaurant. Dogs sharing food of Vultures

4 7) Constructions of Vulture Restaurant Vulture restaurant is the structure of 30m 33m area which is fenced with Chain link with wooden poles. A wooden platform called as Machan (10ft 10ft 3 ft) is erected in this area. These structures have been erected in Kamlapur, Kodselgudam, Chhallewada and Khandla of Kamalapur range. Vulture Restaurant 8) Appeal to villagers for Feed to vultures Department distributed the posters with an appeal to bring the dead animal at vulture restaurants with an assurance of Rs.250/- per dead body. For safety of the vulture, we are collecting the data such as death cause, medical treatment or if any etc. Appeal to Villagers regarding Vultures diet Now villagers are helping us a lot by bringing the dead bodies of dead animals at the vulture restaurants as they are getting money for their dead animal and they have not to bother about the disposal of the body also.

5 Villagers Providing Caracas for Vultures 9) Celebration of Vulture awareness Day and Gidhad Mitra World Vulture Awareness Day is celebrated on first Saturday of every month of September. During urrent year, it was celebrated on 6 th September A meeting of all the staff and villagers was organized where informations about vultures were shared and a video clip developed by Gadchiroli Forest Circle about Vultures was shown. Here, idea of Gidhad Mitra (means Friend of Vulture) was promoted. Undere this idea a person helping forest department in conservation of vultures with the information of sighting and spreading the awareness of vultures to villagers will be nominated as Gidhad Mitra. Mr. Shrihari Gurjalwal from the village of Chhallewada is the first Gidhad Mitra in Kamlapur range. 10) Record Keeping A set of format for data collection was devised to generate the information which will be helpful in any future endeavor to conserve vultures. They dealt with monitoring of vultures, feeding at vulture restaurants and the villagers bringing the dead bodies and the amount paid to them. These records are regularly maintained by the respective Forest Guard and checked by Round officers. 11) Achievements

6 1. At the beginning the vulture population was just a group of birds. Aforementioned conservation effort resulted into sighting of group having 80 to 90 individuals on 18 th August, 2014 at Kamlapur. 2. At the beginning we found only one nest at Chhallewada. A new nest was build up on a Teak tree near to Khandla vulture restaurant. A group of vulture sighted in Kamalapur Present locations of vulture sightings in Kamalapaur range of Sironcha division CONCLUSION Firstly, Kamlapur Forest Range area was not known for vultures but now this area has larger vulture population. Villagers are now aware about vultures and their importance in ecosystem which is vital for the long term survival of the vulture.

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