1st All India Vulture Survey: WII Report Reveals 70% Decline in Historic Nesting Sites

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has released the findings of the 1st All India Vulture Survey, a landmark nationwide assessment conducted between 2023 and 2025. The report, titled “Pan-India Assessment and Monitoring of Endangered Species – Vultures”, marks the first comprehensive evaluation of vulture populations across India and highlights a 70% decline in historical nesting sites.

The survey focused on four critically endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List:

• White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)

• Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus)

• Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)

• Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus)

Key Findings of the 1st All India Vulture Survey

1. Alarming Decline in Nesting Sites

• The study documented fewer than 2,500 active nests across 216 sites in 17 states, indicating a 70% loss of historical nesting areas.

• This translates to a maximum of 4,800 breeding adults, showcasing a sharp population contraction over the past few decades.

2. Dependence on Protected Areas

• Over 60% of active nests were found inside protected areas (PAs), underscoring the critical role of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.

• Protected habitats in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra now host the largest breeding colonies.

3. Species-Wise Highlights

How the Survey Was Conducted

The WII researchers adopted a systematic and multi-source approach:

• Reviewed historic nesting records and literature.

• Conducted on-ground field verification at over 200 sites.

• Collaborated with forest departments, NGOs, and citizen scientists.

• Carried out direct nest counts during early mornings and evenings in peak nesting season.

• Each active nest was treated as representing one breeding pair.

Additionally, the survey examined livestock carcass dumps in nine states — including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab — to evaluate food availability and threats like contamination from veterinary drugs.

Data Compilation: National Vulture Database

All recorded data — including GPS coordinates, nesting tree types, threats, and protection levels — were uploaded into the National Vulture Database.
This digital repository will serve as a baseline for long-term monitoring, enabling authorities to track population changes and identify emerging threats.

Key Threats to India’s Vultures

1. Diclofenac and NSAID Poisoning: Veterinary drugs such as diclofenac, ketoprofen, and aceclofenac cause kidney failure in vultures feeding on treated carcasses.

2. Habitat Loss: Urbanisation, deforestation, and reduced nesting tree availability.

3. Food Scarcity: Decline in carcass availability due to mechanised disposal and sanitation drives.

4. Electrocution and Collisions: Increasing deaths from high-tension wires near feeding zones.

5. Secondary Poisoning: Ingestion of pesticide-laced carcasses and polluted waste.

Conservation Efforts and Action Plans

India has been a global leader in vulture conservation since their mass die-off in the 1990s.
Key initiatives include:

• Ban on veterinary diclofenac (2006) and other harmful NSAIDs like ketoprofen and aceclofenac.

• Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (2020–2025) by MoEFCC.

• Establishment of Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres (VCBCs) in Haryana, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

• Creation of Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs) across key habitats to ensure safe feeding grounds.

Expert Insight

“While vultures continue to survive across the country, their nesting activity is now highly localised and restricted to protected areas. The data from this assessment will be instrumental in guiding India’s next phase of vulture recovery planning.”
— Dr. Suresh Kumar, Senior Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

Significance of the Survey

The 1st All India Vulture Survey provides a scientific baseline for:

• Population trend analysis of critically endangered species.

• Evaluating conservation effectiveness of protected areas.

• Guiding policy decisions on veterinary drug use and habitat restoration.

It also demonstrates India’s growing capacity for biodiversity monitoring under the National Wildlife Action Plan (2017–2031).

Conclusion

The findings of the 1st All India Vulture Survey ring an unmistakable warning bell — India’s vultures are surviving, but in shrinking strongholds.
With 70% of historical nesting sites lost, and most surviving populations confined to protected forests, the time for urgent, data-driven conservation action is now.

Vultures are not just scavengers — they are nature’s clean-up crew and an indicator of ecosystem health. Protecting them is protecting India’s ecological future.

Sharing is caring!