KATHMANDU: A huge amount of a veterinary drug, Diclofenac, which is found to be fatal for vulture species, was burnt in Nawalparasi yesterday. "Over 52 litres and 13,064 tablets of the drug were burnt in Pithauli of Nawalparasi," said Dr Hum Bahadur Gurung, Chief Executive Officer, Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN). The drug was collected by local people and veterinary drug stores across the nation in three years time.

There is the vulture restaurant in Pithauli where the vultures are fed with the carcass, free of diclofenac. Diclofenac was widely used in the nation for veterinary purpose, however, the government banned its sale since 2006 after biologists and conservationists demanded to ban the drug.

According to BCN, over three hundred locals, scientists, veterinaries, drug administrators were present in the destroying event. "On the initiation of BCN, the stocks of Diclofenac that remained in the veterinary drug stores across the nation were collected and the veterinary stores were provided compensation," added Gurung.

The studies have shown that five species of vultures in Asia are in danger of extinction. Populations of White-rumped Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed and Slender-billed Vultures have declined by a massive 99 percent in India and Pakistan and annual rates of the decline appear to be increasing. The five species of vulture are listed 'threatened' by the IUCN.

"In Nepal White-rumped and Slender-billed Vulture population is rapidly decreasing," said Gurung.