The Perilous Plight of Vultures and Conservation Challenges in Southern Rajasthan


Authors : Dr. Monika Rajawat; Dr. Abhimanyue Singh Rathore

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yc2wk2y4

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/34zanddr

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec187

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.


Abstract : Vultures, critical components of the ecosystem as natural scavengers, are facing a severe crisis across the Indian subcontinent, with Southern Rajasthan being no exception. This paper explores the alarming decline of these critical scavengers, delving into the main culprits behind their vanishing numbers: the pervasive use of the veterinary drug diclofenac, widespread habitat loss, and other human-induced pressures in Southern Rajasthan. It further examines the current status of key vulture species in the region, assesses the effectiveness of existing conservation initiatives, and proposes future strategies for their recovery. The study emphasizes the urgent need for sustained efforts, including strict enforcement of drug bans, community engagement, and habitat restoration, to prevent the local extinction of these ecologically vital birds.

Keywords : Vulture Decline, Southern Rajasthan, Diclofenac, Conservation, Gyps Species, Habitat Loss.

References :

  1. Saran, R.P., Joshi, H., Purohit, A.(2015). A Report on Successful Rescue of Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus At Jodhpur, Rajasthan. International Journal of Pure and Applied Zoology, 3(1), 13-16.
  2. Mundy, P., Butchart, D., Ledger, J.A., and Piper, S.E. (1992). The vultures of South Africa. South Africa: Acorn Books; 368-370. 
  3. Prakash, V., Pain, D.J., Cunningham, A.A., Donald, P.F., Prakash, N., Verma, A., Gargi, R., Sivakumar,  S.  and  Rahmani,  A.R.  (2003). Catastrophic  Collapse  of  Indian  White-backed Gyps bengalensis and long-billed Gyps indicus vulture populations. Biological Conservation, 109:381-390.
  4. Prakash V, Green RE. Pain DJ, Ranade SP, Saravanan S., (2007). Recent changes in population of resident Gyps Vultures in India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 104 (2): 127-133.
  5. Oaks, J.L., Gilbert, M., Virani, M.Z., Watson, R.T. and Meteyer, C.U., Rideout, B.A., Shivaprasad, H.L., Ahmed, S., Chaudry, M.J.I., Arshad, M., Mahmood, S., Ali, A. & Khan, A.A. (2004). Diclofenac residues as the cause of population declines of vultures in Pakistan. Nature; 427: 630-633.
  6. Green, R.E., Newton, I., Shultz, S., Cunningham, A.A., Gilbert, M., Pain, D.J., & Prakash, V. (2004). Diclofenac poisoning as a cause of vulture population declines across the Indian subcontinent. Journal of Applied Ecology, 41(5), 793-800.
  7. Swan, G., Naidoo, V., Cuthbert, R., Green, R. E., Pain, D. J., Senacha, D., & Wolter, K. (2006). Toxicity of diclofenac and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to Gyps vultures. PLoS Biology, 4(3), e66.
  8. Mongabay-India. (2025, June 3). Vulture conservation needs more than drug bans.Retrieved from https://india.mongabay.com/2025/06/vulture-conservation-needs-more-than-drug-bans/
  9. Chhangani, A. K. (2021). Gyps Vulture Telemetry Research Proposal Type of protected area's in India to conserve the Biodiversity. Retrieved from https://www.mgsubikaner.ac.in/PDF/63d8a3b76ca7f.pdf
  10. Chisty, N. & Choudhary, N.( 2020). Successful Breeding Rate and Population Status of Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) at Kailashpuri, Udaipur district, Rajasthan. Environment and Ecology, 38(4):929-936.
  11. Suthar, S., Sharma, A., Chauhan, P.S., Chauhan, K., Nagar, B. and Maurya, I.B.(2020). Assessment of Diversity, population and related threats to vultures in Hadoti region of Rajasthan. Int. J.Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci. 9(12):1302-1309.
  12. Pandey, S.(2022). A short review on depicting major threats to Vultures in India. Prithviya, An Official Newsletter of WCB Research Foundation and WCB Research Lab. 2(2):24-33.
  1. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). (2018). ACTION PLAN FOR VULTURE CONSERVATION IN INDIA. Retrieved from https://moef.gov.in/uploads/2018/03/vulture_plan.pdf
  2. Central Zoo Authority (CZA). (2024). Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme. Retrieved from https://cza.nic.in/uploads/documents/publications/hindi/2012%20(2).pdf
  3. Jorbeer Conservation Reserve Bikaner: A Haven for Vultures and Wildlife (2024). Retrieved from https://www.rajasthanbhumitours.com/blog/rajasthan-tourism/jorbeer-conservation-reserve-bikaner/
  4. Rajasthan village teams up to revive dhok trees, vultures (2023). Retrieved from https://villagesquare.in/rajasthan-village-teams-up-to-revive-dhok-trees-vultures/
  5. SAVE Vultures. (2020, November 20). Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India, 2020‐2025.

Vultures, critical components of the ecosystem as natural scavengers, are facing a severe crisis across the Indian subcontinent, with Southern Rajasthan being no exception. This paper explores the alarming decline of these critical scavengers, delving into the main culprits behind their vanishing numbers: the pervasive use of the veterinary drug diclofenac, widespread habitat loss, and other human-induced pressures in Southern Rajasthan. It further examines the current status of key vulture species in the region, assesses the effectiveness of existing conservation initiatives, and proposes future strategies for their recovery. The study emphasizes the urgent need for sustained efforts, including strict enforcement of drug bans, community engagement, and habitat restoration, to prevent the local extinction of these ecologically vital birds.

Keywords : Vulture Decline, Southern Rajasthan, Diclofenac, Conservation, Gyps Species, Habitat Loss.

CALL FOR PAPERS


Paper Submission Last Date
31 - December - 2025

Video Explanation for Published paper

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe