As vultures disappear, minister calls for 'safe zones'

NEW DELHI: With vultures vanishing from nearly 72% of their historically known nesting sites across India, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav Sunday called for persistent efforts to create 'Vulture Safe Zones' to aid species recovery in the wild.Known as Nature's most efficient scavengers, the vulture population has seen a sharp decline since the 1990s, mainly due to disruption in their food chain and veterinary use of diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug that was commonly administered to livestock across the country. Scientific research found that the vultures feeding on livestock carcasses treated with diclofenac suffered kidney failure, leading to their death.Yadav, therefore, suggested creation of safe zones through vulture-safe veterinary practices, ensuring safe food availability and technical capacity building. He appealed to veterinary professionals, livestock owners, local administrations and communities to actively contribute to vulture conservation and promote safe carcass-management practices.The minister's suggestions came at an event to celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day 2026 at Panchkula in Haryana.India is currently home to nine species of vultures - White-rumped, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Red-headed, Egyptian, Himalayan Griffon, Eurasian Griffon, Cinereous and Bearded vultures - found across the country from Himalayan range in the north to Kerala in the south.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.