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A culture to save the vulture

Mike Pandey's "The Vanishing Vultures" brings out startling facts

A disruption in the ecological chain can have unknown repercussions in our life. However `lowly' the creature might be, its importance in maintaining the fragile ecological balance intact cannot be underestimated. Take the case of the vulture. One of the most efficient scavengers, it is rarely seen these days. Statistics say the Indian sub-continent, which once had the highest density of vultures in the world (nearly 85 million till the 1980s), has seen an alarming drop in their population. Only an estimated 3000 to 4000 remain. Experts say that the vultures in India, Nepal and Pakistan are heading towards sure extinction unless of course, a collective movement happens to stop it. All these facts and much more were open for all to see in a film about the status of the Indian vulture, "Vanishing Vultures" premiered at the British Council in New Delhi this past week. Beautifully made over a period of six months, the film, produced by ace wildlife filmmaker Mike Pandey, highlights the facts as discovered by scientists that the use of Diclofenac, a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory veterinary medicine, is responsible for the rapid decimation of vultures.

"If an animal under treatment has been administered a dose of Diclofenac and it dies and the carcass is eaten by a vulture, the Diclofenac in the animal affects the vulture's kidneys, resulting in it being unable to excrete uric acid. This leads to visceral gout in the bird, finally causing its death," explains Pandey, three-time winner of the Green Oscar Award for his films on environment conservation. Diclofenac is used by farmers extensively in India because of its low cost. Miloxican, a substitute for Diclofenac, is available in the market. It is a bit more expensive than Diclofenac by around Rs.10 to 12, but tested to be safe and vulture-friendly.

Dangerous apathy

"Despite the Prime Minister's directives, Diclofenac is still available in the market. India has over 500 million cattle, the highest number in the world and these vultures keep our environment clean by clearing up an estimated 10 million carcasses a year. In their absence, millions of cattle carcasses and even those of wild animals will lie putrefying, creating a breeding ground for thousands of unknown strains of viruses, diseases and lethal bacteria. Like the avian flu, these viruses too can travel with diseases unknown to man," warns Pandey, also a winner of the United Nation's Prithiv Ratan award. The solution, says the filmmaker, lies in dissemination of more and more information about the bird's contribution to the society and bringing in a collective effort to spread awareness to save the species from extinction. "Also, efforts have been made by instituting a vulture conservation and breeding centre at Pinjore, Haryana, and at Buxa in West Bengal," he adds. Pandey's film will be translated into 15 languages and broadcast on various TV channels and the radio and would appeal to politicians, farmers and scientists alike to collectively help ban the Diclofenac drug.

SANJEEV CHOUDHARY

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