Context:
The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) has become locally extinct in The Nilgiris and no longer breeds in Tamil Nadu. Conservationists have called for coordinated conservation measures, including establishing an Egyptian Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme to revive the declining resident population in south India.
Explanation:
- Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is the smallest Old-World vulture and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
- India hosts the resident subspecies Neophron percnopterus ginginianus, while migratory populations arrive from Africa and the Middle East during winter.
- It inhabits rocky cliffs, villages, temple towns, grazing lands and open scrub habitats, nesting mainly on cliffs.
- As a scavenger, it provides vital ecosystem services by disposing of animal carcasses and reducing disease transmission.
- Major threats include habitat loss, poisoning, electrocution, collision with power lines, decline in food availability, and veterinary drugs such as diclofenac, which have devastated vulture populations.
- Conservation measures include captive breeding, habitat protection, safe carcass zones (Vulture Restaurants), and strict enforcement of the diclofenac ban.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040