Rajganj, 03rd September: The International Vulture Awareness Day was celebrated under the joint aegis of Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation and Bombay Natural History Society at Jotiyakali, Rajganj.
An awareness rally and camp were organized at Jotiyakali today. Animesh Basu, co-ordinator of NAFF, said that the vultures are almost on the verge of extinction and have become one of the most vulnerable species to extinction that have to be saved. Apart from creating awareness in people about vulture conservation, the number of vultures can also increase as before if suitable habitat is created. The carcasses of dead cows are thrown in the area of Jotiyakali which can attract the vultures to feed on it thus, creating a safe space for the birds. This can make them resistant to the dangers of hi-tension lines and can be safe on the said ground which can possibly help them to increase their species.
Several vultures from the White-rumped Vulture, Cineraj Vulture, and Himalayan Vulture species visit there, but in the last two years, some vultures have died of electrocution due to exposure to high voltage electrical wires in the area due to lack of trees. Therefore, efforts are being made to make the carcass ground suitable for vultures. The Forest Department, Rajabhatkhawa Artificial Vulture Breeding Center, and the local administration are helping with the initiative.
During this, Additional Chief Forester of North Bengal Ujjwal Ghosh, Rajabhatkhawa Artificial Vulture Breeding Center Center in-charge Soumyasundar Chakraborty, and others were present.