Wildlife Institute of India(WII) releases its 1st Pan-India Assessment and Monitoring of Endangered Species (Vultures)

Posted 07 Nov 2025

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Article Summary

The WII's first nationwide vulture assessment highlights declining populations, geographic contraction, reliance on protected areas, and threats like habitat loss and poisoning, emphasizing the need for urgent conservation actions.

This first nationwide assessment estimated breeding adult populations focusing on four Critically Endangered species i.e., the White-rumped, Indian, Slender-billed, and Red-headed vultures.

Major Findings

Geographic Scope: The survey documented vulture presence at 216 sites across 17 states.
Contraction of Range: It revealed absence of nesting in nearly 70% of historical sites previously known across the country.
Dependence on Protected Areas (PAs): PAs hold 54% of all documented nests.
Species specific findings
- Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus): Found mainly in Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan (largest at Mukundra Hills); reliant on secure cliff sites
- White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis): Concentrated in Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh
- Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris): Breeding mostly in Upper Assam
- Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus): Found in Madhya Pradesh; depends on dense, undisturbed forests; population extremely low and fragmented.

Vultures

Large carrion-eating birds, mainly found in tropics and subtropics; 9 species in India.
Significance: Clean environment by consuming carcasses, controlling wildlife diseases.
Conservation Status: Protected under Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Threats: Habitat loss, food scarcity, diclofenac poisoning, electrocution.
Conservation Initiatives: Ban on diclofenac, ketoprofen, aceclofenac; Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (2020–25)