Hazaribagh Vulture Safe Habitat

#GS-3 #Environment #Biodiversity #Wildlife #Jharkhand #Current Events #National

Key takeaways

A 100-km radius around Hazaribagh in Jharkhand now supports an estimated 400 to 450 endangered vultures.
India lost more than 95% of its vulture population over the last three decades due to toxic veterinary drugs like diclofenac.
Hazaribagh provides a natural safe haven hosting five of India's nine vulture species.
Proposed conservation plans include a 100-km-radius vulture safe zone spanning across Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bihar.

A 100-km radius around Hazaribagh in Jharkhand has become a thriving safe habitat and natural breeding zone for endangered vultures.
This area currently supports an estimated 400 to 450 birds.

It is a prominent forested plateau and administrative division in eastern India.
It serves as Jharkhand's only surviving wild stronghold and natural breeding haven for critically endangered vulture species.
The area is situated in the north-central part of Jharkhand on the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
It covers the Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, Barkatha block, and the cliff terrains of Mahavar Hill.

India's vulture population collapsed by more than 95% over the last three decades.
This crash was primarily caused by renal failure after birds fed on livestock carcasses contaminated with toxic Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs such as diclofenac, aceclofenac, and ketoprofen.
Vultures act as nature's primary scavengers to clean up the environment.
The disappearance of vultures led to rotting carcasses, rising feral dog numbers, and the spread of deadly diseases like rabies and anthrax.

Hazaribagh hosts five of India's nine vulture species, including the critically endangered White-rumped and Indian Vultures along with migratory Himalayan Griffons.
Mahavar Hill and nearby forests offer rocky cliffs and mature trees for safe nesting and resting.
Experts have spotted adults, fledglings, and juveniles, which proves that natural breeding is happening in the wild.
Authorities proposed a 100-km-radius vulture safe zone covering parts of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bihar to protect these birds.
A planned breeding and rescue facility will treat injured vultures and monitor safe food sources.

This region provides a vital home and wintering ground for resident and migratory vultures across the Chota Nagpur landscape.
The project encourages teamwork between forest officers, NGOs, and villagers to create safe feeding areas and bring back vultures to their natural cleaning role.