Why in News?
- As India’s National Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (2016–25) nears completion, discussions are underway on its next phase.
- Emerging scholarship and conservation strategies highlight vultures as critical to pandemic preparedness, linking biodiversity conservation to public health security.
Relevance:
- GS-III (Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management): Vulture conservation, ecological services, diclofenac ban.
- GS-II (Health, Governance): One Health, zoonotic spillover, pandemic preparedness.
Basics
- Role of Vultures: Nature’s most efficient waste managers — prevent spread of pathogens like anthrax, rabies, Clostridium botulinum.
- Decline in India: From ~40 million in 1980s → >95% decline since 1990s, largely due to diclofenac (veterinary drug).
- Central Asian Flyway (CAF): Migratory corridor (30+ countries) used by millions of birds including vultures.
- Public Health Link: Carcass disposal prevents zoonotic spillovers; absence of vultures increases disease risk.
- Existing Plan (2016–25): Banned toxic veterinary drugs, established breeding centres, awareness campaigns.
Overview
Ecological & Health Significance
- Carcass management: Vultures consume dead animals rapidly, preventing open dumping and feral dog population growth (linked to rabies).
- Pandemic prevention: Reduce risk of zoonotic disease spillover (e.g., anthrax).
- Surveillance role: First scavengers to detect carcasses → potential sentinels in One Health monitoring.
Decline Drivers
- Diclofenac toxicity: Veterinary anti-inflammatory drug, lethal to vultures.
- Habitat risks: Power line electrocution, poorly managed landfills, reduced prey base.
- Underfunded conservation: Limited financial support, fragmented across states.
Regional & Global Dimension
- CAF = Biodiversity + Public Health corridor → carcass sites can become cross-border disease hotspots.
- Links to Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) commitments and WHO SEARO Roadmap (2023–27) for health security.
India’s Strategic Opportunity
- With large CAF-connected populations (Himalayan griffon, cinereous, Eurasian griffon), India can lead global biodiversity-linked health policy.
- Integrating One Health approach (human–animal–environment) with vulture conservation strengthens resilience against pandemics.
Post-2025 Roadmap – 5 Pillars
- Nationwide telemetry → real-time mapping of habitats, dumps, hotspots.
- Decision Support System (DSS) → integrate wildlife, livestock, human health data.
- One Health coordination → link environment, veterinary, public health agencies.
- Transboundary collaboration → strengthen CAF partnerships, disease monitoring.
- Community stewardship → empower local groups (esp. women/youth) in carcass management & surveillance.
Cost-effectiveness
- Low investment, high returns: Vulture conservation requires modest funds vs outbreak costs.
- Aligns with Ayushman Bharat (preventive health) and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of resilience.
Conclusion
- Vultures are not just keystone scavengers but guardians of public health.
- Protecting them integrates biodiversity conservation with pandemic prevention and regional health security.
- India has the chance to position itself as a global leader in linking ecological resilience with public health preparedness.
