A conservation awareness campaign aimed at preventing vulture deaths was held at the Chhaygaon Revenue Circle Office in Kamrup district on August 21. The programme sought to sensitise local communities and engage Gram Pradhans in strengthening vulture conservation efforts in the region.
The event was organised by biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak in collaboration with Chhaygaon Circle Office, Assam Forest School, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and Bonyabondhu, with support from the Oriental Bird Club. It was attended by Gram Pradhans from across the circle and members of local communities.
Speakers at the programme highlighted the ecological role vultures play in keeping the environment disease-free and expressed concern over the sharp decline in vulture populations in recent decades. Populations of species such as the Slender-billed Vulture are now estimated at fewer than 900 birds across their ranges.
The use of certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Diclofenac, Aceclofenac, Ketoprofen and Nimesulide for treating cattle has been identified as a major cause of vulture deaths. Although these medicines have been banned for veterinary use in India, poisoning incidents caused by pesticides, including organophosphates and carbofuran, continue to threaten the birds.
In Kamrup district, hundreds of vultures died in the past 15 years after feeding on pesticide-laced carcasses. A Gram Pradhan attending the event said such poisoning was often linked to attempts by community members to control cattle predation by wild carnivores and feral dogs.
Addressing the gathering, Chiranjib Das, Circle Officer of Chhaygaon Revenue Circle, urged Gram Pradhans to help spread the conservation message in their villages and assured support for future conservation efforts.
Dr Dipankar Lahkar, Senior Conservation Biologist and Assistant Director of Aaranyak, said Kamrup was a sensitive area for vulture conservation. He noted that at least 600 vultures had been lost in the district in the past one and a half decades due to chemical poisoning. He said public participation was crucial for conservation and added that initiatives such as Sagun Mitra and Nest Guardianship were being promoted to rebuild vulture populations through poison-free food.
The event began with the National Anthem sung by students from Guwahati College, Arya Vidyapith College and Handique Girls’ College. Assam Gaurav awardee Dharanidhar Boro administered a “green oath” to participants, pledging commitment to vulture conservation.
Awareness materials were shared during the campaign to highlight conservation challenges and possible solutions. Jayanta Kumar Pathak, Assistant Director of Aaranyak, spoke on the need to integrate vulture conservation with panchayat-level planning.
As part of the initiative, vulture-preferred nesting tree saplings were distributed among participants. The saplings, including species such as Simolu, Arjun and Jamuk, were provided by Assam Forest School. Its director, Dimpi Borah, has set up the state’s first nursery focused on raising tree species suitable for vulture nesting.
The programme was attended by officials and representatives from Aaranyak, ASTEC, the Assam Forest Department and Bonyabondhu.
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