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Country’s 1st vulture sanctuary to be set up soon

* Expert says Diclofenac injection major cause behind diminishing population of vultures

By Sameer Mandhro

KARACHI: The flora and fauna help keep the environment humane and when they are disturbed, it can lead to mental and physical problems.
Scientific studies prove that some species of birds and animals are on the verge of extinction and are in dire need of our attention. Dead animals are left in the open, away from the population, for an ugly bird with long and wide feathers to appear from the sky and eat away the remains of the dead animal, cleaning the environment.
This ugly scavenger bird is the vulture, which is rarely found in interior Sindh, except in Karonjhar, Tharparkar. A survey conducted by Dharti Development Society (DDS) in collaboration with the United Nation Development Programme’s (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF), disclosed that this bird’s two most important kinds, White Back Vulture and Long Neck Vulture, are in great danger owing to the lack of attention and human behaviour. The UNDP-GEF is supporting DDS to establish a restaurant at Karonjhar Mountain in Nangar Parkar where fresh meat will be provided for the vultures.
“These birds were quite common in our country and the few that remain in Nangarparkar are only due to the steps taken in India. There was a time when there were hundreds of vultures in the country but people used an injection, Diclofenac, on their livestock that directly and indirectly became the cause of death of this precious bird,” said UNDP-GEF’s National Co-ordinator Masood Ahmed Lohar.
Talking to Daily Times, Lohar said that a vulture’s breeding is slow and its eggs are usually rotten, thus, its population is declining. Lohar was of the view that the bird is in great danger in South Asia. The environmental issues and lack of awareness among the masses is contributing greatly to the decline in the number of vultures, he added.
“We are going to establish the first ‘Vulture Restaurant’ in Pakistan at Karonjhar Mountain, where we will feed this bird fresh meat so that it has a steady food supply and its numbers can be sustained. Such steps have already been taken in Nepal and India in South Asia and are essential if we want our coming generations to be able to see live vultures and not only in pictures,” said DDS’s Executive Director Mansoor Dahiri.
He added that the local administration of the Nangarparkar has launched a campaign to remove dead stray dogs from open spaces, as the vultures are dying by eating the carcasses of these dogs.
“If we do not act quickly to preserve this bird, its numbers will decline even more rapidly. The project will safeguard the birds and the environment,” added Dahiri.
Lohar further disclosed that rapid steps are being taken to save other endangered animals and birds through out the country. “We are seriously taking steps to save these human friendly birds and animals, while also making concentrated efforts to increase awareness amongst the masses,” said Lohar.
He added that plans are underway to introduce the Kharai Sindh Camel, which is the fastest camel in the world, in the international market. This unique and precious camel is found in Kharo Chhan and Shah Bander, Thatta, according to Lohar.
He also claimed that the precious ‘Kamori goat’ is being protected as there are around 700 in number. The goat is matchless and is found rarely owing to rapid deforestation. Besides birds and animals, GEF will work in several forgotten indigenous communities such as Rebaris, Kelashis, Jats, Kabutaris and others, described Lohar.
“We are taking concrete steps for the Indus Blind Dolphin and other threatened species too. Not only will we provide protection to these birds and animals but will also work at the community level to teach people how to care for the animals,” he concluded.

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