Vultures are crucial for public health, serving as a sanitation system and preventing disease spread. Their near-extinction in India, due to diclofenac, underscores the link between biodiversity loss and human pandemic risk. Government efforts, such as the National Action Plan for Vulture Conservation, aim to restore this species and protect the environment.
Copyright infringement not intended
Picture Courtesy: THEHINDU
Vultures are crucial for public health, consuming carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases such as anthrax.
Vultures are large scavenging birds (22 species globally, 9 in India), with adaptations like highly acidic stomachs (pH 1-2) that kill pathogens. In some species females are larger than males.
They are medium-to-large birds (e.g., 70-120 cm wingspan), native to Asia (mainly India, Pakistan, and Nepal), feeding on carrion, aiding decomposition, nutrient cycling, and disease control.
In India, since the 1990s, its population has declined by more than 95% due to diclofenac poisoning (kidney failure in vultures feeding on treated cattle carcasses).
Carcass Cleanup: Vultures consume carcass, preventing bacterial growth (e.g., anthrax, Clostridium botulinum, rabies) that could spread via scavengers like dogs or flies.
Pathogen Neutralization: Their ultra-acidic stomachs (pH <1) destroy 99.9% of bacteria/viruses, acting as a "dead-end" for zoonotic pathogens.
Ecosystem Regulation: By limiting wild dog populations, vultures reduce rabies transmission.
Surveillance Role: Vultures detect outbreaks early by feeding on infected carcasses, aiding One Health monitoring.
Increased Spillover Risks: Without vultures, carcasses rot longer, breeding pathogens.
Zoonotic Hotspots: Carcass dumps and landfills become spillover sites, linking wildlife-livestock-human interfaces (e.g., avian flu, Ebola risks).
Economic Toll: Outbreak response costs far exceed conservation cost.
Gendered Impact: Rural women, reliant on clean water/landscapes, face higher disease exposure from unmanaged waste.
Ban on Toxic Drugs: Diclofenac, was banned in 2006. Other vulture-toxic drugs, such as aceclofenac and ketoprofen, have also been banned.
Captive Breeding Centers: Several Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres (VCBCs) established to breed and rear endangered vulture species for future release into the wild. The first center opened in Pinjore, Haryana.
Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs): "Diclofenac-free zones" have been created across the country to ensure vultures have access to safe food sources.
Action Plans and Policies: Government has implemented a National Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (2020-2025) to guide efforts, including drug control and the establishment of new rescue centers.
Research and Awareness: Population monitoring is conducted in collaboration with organizations like the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
Legal Protection: All nine vulture species in India are protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Source: THEHINDU
|
PRACTICE QUESTION Q. The decline of the vulture population is a classic example of how biodiversity loss can have public health consequences. Critically analyze. 150 words |
Vultures are natural scavengers that clean the environment by consuming carcasses, preventing the spread of diseases.
By quickly removing decaying carcasses, vultures eliminate pathogens and reduce the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks.
Diclofenac is a veterinary drug that causes fatal kidney failure in vultures when they feed on treated carcasses.
© 2025 iasgyan. All right reserved
