Environment Minister calls for holistic approach in conservation of vultures, other species
Panchkula, Sep 6 (IANS) Reviewing vulture conservation efforts, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Sunday that the government’s approach is based on a holistic ecosystem-oriented model and not limited to particular species.
Inaugurating a national-level workshop on ‘From Crisis to Recovery – Conserving India’s Vultures’, Yadav said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government’s holistic approach is evident in various species’ conservation initiatives whether it is Big Cats, Sloth Bear, Great Indian Bustard, Dolphins, Gharial, Wild water buffalo or Vultures.
Celebrating the International Vulture Awareness Day 2026, the Union Minister said that the country is making good progress in conservation of a diverse community of resident and migratory vultures including White-rumped, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Red-headed, Egyptian, Himalayan Griffon, Eurasian Griffon, Cinereous and Bearded Vultures.
The Minister emphasised on a ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach in policy making for Vulture conservation.
He called for continued efforts to create Vulture Safe Zones through vulture-safe veterinary practices, ensuring safe food availability and technical capacity building to aid species recovery in the wild.
The program was organised in collaboration with the MoEFCC, Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Haryana Forest and Wildlife Department, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC), Pinjore.
It brought together senior forest officials, scientists, veterinarians, zoo professionals, conservation practitioners and other stakeholders to strengthen collaborative efforts for vulture conservation in India, said an official statement.
Those present included Haryana State Minister for Environment, Forest and Wildlife Rao Narbir Singh and senior dignitaries from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and Haryana Government.
Earlier, the Union Minister visited JCBC Pinjore and interacted with officials involved in vulture conservation.
The Centre, a collaborative initiative of the Haryana Forest Department and BNHS, has emerged as an important centre for conservation breeding of the White-rumped, Long-billed and Slender-billed Vultures.
During 2025–26, the JCBC housed 356 vultures and successfully bred 35 chicks. It also released or contributed 87 vultures for reintroduction, transferred 90 birds to other conservation-breeding institutions, and trained 1,222 participants from 22 institutions, thereby strengthening technical capacity for vulture conservation, said the statement.
–IANS
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