Biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak has launched an outreach initiative to acknowledge and encourage community-led efforts to protect vultures in Assam. By recognising these contributions, Aaranyak aims to inspire others to engage in vulture conservation, which is critical for maintaining ecological balance in the region.
Assam is home to six of the nine vulture species found in India, with significant colonies in areas such as Sivasagar, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Kamrup, Kokrajhar, and Dhubri. However, the vulture population faces severe threats due to human activities, including habitat destruction and poisoning, leading to a sharp decline in their numbers.
In Sivasagar and Dhakuakhana, community members have taken significant steps to protect vultures. Aaranyak has recognised individuals like Phuleswari Dutta of Dhakuakhana and Rajen Mili of Sivasagar for their dedication to vulture conservation.
Phuleswari Dutta, despite facing economic challenges, has refrained from cutting down trees on her property that serve as nesting sites for vultures. “I have a special affection for these birds. Knowing that their population is declining, I want to preserve these trees as long as I live,” she said.
Similarly, Rajen Mili has taken it upon himself to collect cattle carcasses and provide them as food for vultures in his area. Aaranyak honoured both Dutta and Mili with appreciation certificates for their voluntary contributions.
Aaranyak plans to recognise eight more individuals from Sivasagar, Dhakuakhana, and Tinsukia districts for their efforts in safeguarding vultures.
Despite their ecological importance, vultures have often been overlooked in conservation priorities. The species faces challenges such as poisoning from contaminated cattle carcasses, a practice that has resulted in significant vulture deaths.
“Last year alone, 30 vultures died in my area due to poisoning. A mass public awareness campaign is crucial to change this trajectory,” said Aaranyak’s Eastern Assam Zone Coordinator, Hiren Dutta.
In response, Aaranyak has initiated outreach programmes to educate communities, including students and residents, about the importance of vulture conservation. So far, six programmes have been conducted in educational institutions across Sivasagar and Dhakuakhana districts.
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The initiative is spearheaded by Aaranyak’s Secretary General and CEO, Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, with support from senior conservation biologist Dr Dipankar Lahkar, Outreach Facilitator Wasima Begum, and field coordinator Hiren Dutta. The team has worked closely with local residents who have contributed to the success of the outreach programmes.
Aaranyak’s initiative aims to foster a community-driven approach to vulture conservation, ensuring a sustainable future for these vital scavengers in Assam’s ecosystem.
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