MUSTANG: A vulture census began in popular tourist destination of the nation, the Annapurna Conservation Area in western Nepal.

The Global Primate Network is counting the number of vultures along the Annapurna trekking trail from Muktinath of Mustang to Ghandruk of Kaski district.

The team would also study other details of the vultures found there.

The vulture census was not held for last 10 years though it was continued from 2001 to 2006 in coordination with the Annapurna Conservation Area Project.

The GPN Programme Director Dikpal Karmacharya hoped that the number of vultures in the region had not significantly changed over the years.

However, some other studies have suggested that the number of vultures decreased in the region owing to lack of foodstuffs and safe habitats as a result of anti-wildlife activities of human beings.

So far, the census team has completed the study in Muktinath, Lopra, Marpha and Kobang region.

It is preparing to head to Ghasa, Chisapani, Chitre and Ghandruk areas for the study.