Patna : Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in Bihar’s West Champaran district is expanding its wildlife conservation efforts to include endangered vultures, with an initiative underway in the Gonauli forest range to protect the birds and improve their habitat.
The reserve, known for its tigers, leopards, deer and other wildlife, is home to more than 300 bird species. The latest initiative focuses on safeguarding vultures, improving the availability of suitable food and creating conditions that support their survival and population growth.
According to the reserve administration, vulture nests are currently found mainly in the core area. Officials hope that continued conservation efforts will help increase their presence in the buffer zone over the next four to five years.
If developed as planned, VTR will become India’s ninth vulture conservation and breeding centre, according to the report.
Gonauli Forest Range To Focus On Vulture Protection
Conservation work has begun in the Gonauli forest range, where officials are focusing on protecting vultures and maintaining a suitable habitat.
Field biologists and veterinary experts associated with the reserve are expected to play an important role in monitoring the birds and supporting conservation measures.
The administration aims to strengthen existing conservation efforts before expanding the programme further. Increasing the population and encouraging vultures to occupy suitable areas beyond the core zone are among the stated objectives.
Monitoring Food Sources To Reduce Risks
Ensuring a safe and reliable food supply is an important part of the initiative. Vultures are scavengers, and contaminated carcasses can pose a serious threat to their survival.
The use of certain veterinary drugs, including diclofenac, has been linked to severe declines in vulture populations in South Asia. Vultures that feed on the remains of animals treated with harmful drugs can suffer fatal kidney damage.
To reduce such risks, VTR is focusing on monitoring the remains of dead wildlife and preventing vultures from feeding on potentially contaminated carcasses. The reserve is also keeping watch on animal remains originating from outside the protected area.
The proposed measures are intended to improve food safety for vultures while supporting their natural feeding behaviour.
Eight Vulture Conservation Centres Reported Across India
The report lists existing vulture conservation facilities at locations including Pinjore in Haryana, Rajabhatkhawa in West Bengal, Rani in Assam, Kerwa in Madhya Pradesh, facilities in Gujarat, Nandankanan in Odisha, Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad and Muta in Ranchi.
The proposed facility at Valmiki Tiger Reserve would add another location to India’s vulture conservation network.
The reserve’s field director, Gaurav Ojha, said the initial focus was on increasing the vulture population, with further initiatives to follow.
Conservation Efforts Extend Beyond Tigers
Valmiki Tiger Reserve is widely associated with tiger conservation, but its biodiversity includes a broad range of mammals and bird species.
The vulture initiative adds to efforts to protect this wider ecosystem. Its progress will depend on habitat management, monitoring, food safety and the effectiveness of conservation measures over the coming years.
The administration expects sustained efforts to help improve vulture numbers and potentially expand their presence into the reserve’s buffer areas.
