Questions and Answers
What is the conservation status of the Indian Vulture in India?
Which type of vulture is referred to as Gyps indicus?
How many species of vultures are recorded in India?
Which vulture species is categorized as a winter visitor?
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What is the estimated population of the Slender-billed Vulture in India?
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Which of the following vultures is recognized as a resident species?
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What is the conservation status of the Bearded Vulture in India?
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Which species has the highest conservation status of 'Critically Endangered' in India?
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What was the main drug responsible for the drastic decline in vulture populations in India during the mid-nineties?
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Which of the following vulture species belong to the genus 'Gyps'?
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What significant action did the Government of India take in 2006 to protect vultures?
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What was the estimated population of the three resident Gyps species in India during the 1980s?
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Which of the following was NOT one of the major objectives of the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation?
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By 2007, what percentage of the three Gyps species had been wiped out?
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Which vulture species is known for being strictly wintering?
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What was a significant outcome of the measures taken by the MoEFCC by 2011?
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What is the main purpose of the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre?
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What was one of the significant actions taken regarding the use of diclofenac for veterinary purposes?
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Which organization primarily assists in running the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre?
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What defines a Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ)?
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Which alternative drugs were promoted as safer for vultures compared to diclofenac?
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Which vulture species is not critically endangered according to the information provided?
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What was the purpose of establishing the Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme?
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How many vulture safe zones are proposed to be established in each state for conservation efforts?
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Where is the world’s first Asian King Vulture Conservation Centre established?
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What is the goal of the 'Vulture Count 2024' project?
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What is one of the main objectives of the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025?
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Which region hosts the largest nesting colony of Gyps vultures in peninsular India?
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What are the proposed locations for the rescue centres as part of the Action Plan?
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What is the significance of the first Saturday of September?
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What ecological role do vultures serve in their environment?
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What emerging threats to vulture conservation are highlighted in the action plan?
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What role did vultures play in the environment of India before their decline?
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What potential risk does the accumulation of livestock carcasses pose due to the decline in vultures?
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Which diseases are specifically mentioned as being spread by feral dogs?
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What historical practice involving vultures is highlighted for the Parsees in India?
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How many vulture breeding facilities currently exist in India?
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What organization has partnered with the BNHS in managing vulture conservation centers?
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Since when has the BNHS-RSPB been breeding vultures in captivity in India?
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What is a potential consequence of increased food availability due to fewer vultures?
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Study Notes
Vultures in India
- Vultures, known as Jatayu, are considered essential for cleanliness in the ecosystem, recognized by the Government of India.
- India hosts nine out of the twenty-three vulture species globally, which are primarily found in various regions including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- Total estimated population of resident vulture species declined drastically from 40 million in the 1980s to a 99% reduction by 2007 due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, mainly diclofenac.
IUCN Status
- Indian Vulture designated as Critically Endangered by IUCN.
- Nine vulture species in India categorized:
- Bearded Vulture: Near Threatened, Resident.
- Cinereous Vulture: Near Threatened, strictly winter visitor.
- Egyptian Vulture: Endangered, Resident.
- Eurasian Griffon: Least Concern, strictly winter visitor.
- Himalayan Vulture: Near Threatened, largely winter visitor/resident.
- Long-billed Vulture: Critically Endangered, Resident.
- Red-headed Vulture: Critically Endangered, Resident.
- Slender-billed Vulture: Critically Endangered, Resident.
- White-rumped Vulture: Critically Endangered, Resident.
Historical Population Decline
- Major population crash attributed to diclofenac, a drug veterinarians used which proved fatal to vultures.
- Government action taken through the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (APVC) initiated in 2006 to combat extinction risks.
Conservation Measures and Results
- Operations under APVC aimed to eliminate diclofenac use in veterinary medicine and include conservation breeding and recovery monitoring.
- The veterinary use of diclofenac banned in 2006; measures taken to restrict human formulations in veterinary use in 2015.
- Successful breeding programs led to over 700 vultures bred in captivity, including key critically endangered species.
Vulture Safe Zones
- Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) launched to create habitats free from harmful drugs like diclofenac in animal carcasses.
- Specific areas established to support vulture recovery such as the world's first Asian King Vulture Conservation Centre in Uttar Pradesh.
Role in Ecosystem
- Vultures are crucial scavengers preventing disease outbreaks by consuming animal carcasses, thus maintaining environmental health.
- With declining vulture numbers, there has been an increase in feral dog populations leading to further public health concerns, including rabies.
Cultural Significance
- Vultures hold religious and cultural importance, particularly among Parsees, who practice specific burial rituals that involve vultures.
Current Developments
- Vulture Count 2024 by WWF-India aims to assess vulture populations aligning with International Vulture Awareness Day.
- Establishment of a 'Vulture Restaurant' in Jharkhand as a conservation effort to support declining populations.
- Moyar Valley recognized for hosting the largest nesting colony of Gyps vultures in peninsular India.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the endangered vultures of India, their significance to the environment, and their status. Learn about the nine species of vultures recognized in India and their role in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan initiative. Test your knowledge on these important scavengers and their conservation efforts.
