A book on conservation of vultures titled ‘Aftermath of Diclofenac and Vulture Conservation in Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Moyar Valley’ was released at a national workshop on Capacity Building for Combating Wildlife Crime in India, organised at the Tamil Nadu Forest Academy.
The book was released by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and head of the forest department for Government of Tamil Nadu, N. Krishnakumar, and the first copy was received by Chief Wildlife Warden V.K. Melkani. Director of Tamil Nadu Forest Academy Rajeev Srivastava, Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Division, I. Anwardeen and others were present during the book release.
Chief editor of the book S. Chandrasekaran said that vultures are naturally allotted the most commendable job of scavenging and thereby ridding other animals of disease. “But sadly that their population is in the peril of extinction due to modern practices such as indiscriminate use of extensive use of Diclofenac,” he said.
The book that runs to about 100 pages analyses the factors affecting the raptors, breeding cycle, habitat potential and remedies to conserve the big birds. The book also deals with a rapid raptor study that was conducted by the Forest Department, a year ago. It also elaborates on the role of NGOs and veterinarians in popularising alternative drugs to Diclofenac.
