Dumre, February 9
Easy availability of animal carcasses has helped conserve endangered vultures in Tahanun district. Availability of carcasses of cow and ox at Shishuwa Bhateri in Ward No 10 of Byas Municipality has contributed to the conservation of this scavenger, also known as 'nature's cleanup crew'.
As a result, many vultures, which are at risk of disappearance due to rampant urbanisation and lack of prey, have started making their presence felt in the area.
As part of its effort to conserve the bird, the municipality has managed the remains of animals through the Shivalaya Cow Conservation Centre, said the Centre's Chairperson Tulasi Ram Sapkota.
"Established with the monetary assistance of the municipality, the Centre provides shelter to stray cows and oxen, and supplies the remains of dead animals to vultures on the banks of the Madi River," he said.
"Earlier, the sight of vultures was rare. But nowadays, new bird species are spotted on a daily basis. The area hasspotted around 100 vultures belonging to nine species on a daily basis, according to ornithologists," he said.
"The bird species have been disappearing due to lack of prey and consumption of poisoned animal carcasses," said municipality Mayor Baikuntha Neupane.
The municipality has allocated an annual budget worth around Rs 1.5 million for the Centre. The allocated budget will be spent on providing salaries to the centre's employees, and arranging hay and animal feed. The centre has been fenced at a cost of Rs 1.2 million, said the municipality.
"All animals in nature have the right to live. An enabling climate should be created for them for survival. We have managed the remains of animals to feed the endangered vultures, thereby contributing to their conservation.
This has helped maintain the entire ecosystem of nature," he said.
"Many vultures died after being electrocuted by high-voltage transmission lines. So, Nepal Electricity Authority, the state-owned generator and distributor of power, has been alerted regarding the matter."
"I do not know the names of all the vultures found here.
Around nine species of the bird are found here," he said.
The centre, spanning over an area of 300 ropani public land has been providing shelter to stray cows and oxen.
They have been kept in three blocks. Besides, a bio-gas plant has also been constructed.
It has also managed veterinary service for ailing animals. "Ailing animals at the centre are fed medicines prescribed by vets, who make it a point to see that their carcasses do not affect the health of vultures," said Dr Bal Kumar Shrestha, chief of the veterinary service expert centre. "The centre aims to manage stray animals, which are blamed for causing road accidents, and also help conserve vultures," he said.
In 2006, the government had banned diclofenac responsible for severely affecting vultures.
"Vultures are considered very important for biodiversity and environment," said Komal Raj Kafle, chief of the Division Forest Office. He also praised the municipality for its efforts to conserve the birds.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 10, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
