Community managed Vulture Restaurant and Visitor Centre in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park (NEP/OP3/2/07/08)

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Project Details & Results

Five species of vultures in Asia are in grave danger of extinction across the Indian subcontinent. Populations of White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed Vulture G. indicus, (this species is only found in India and Pakistan) Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris, Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus and Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus have declined rapidly within a decade (Oaks et al. 2004, Shultz et al. 2004, Green et al. 2004, Cuthbert et al. 2006). In Nepal, rapid declines of White-rumped and Slender-billed Vulture numbers have been documented from various places (Giri and Baral 2001, Baral 2002, Baral et al. 2002, 2003). Vultures have declined by the same degree throughout their ranges in Nepal and these declines are continuing, with the complete loss of breeding colonies and local extinctions increasingly taking place. Due to these declines, initially three species (White-rumped, Long-billed and Slender-billed) were listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2000, which is the highest category of threat. In 2007, two more species (Red-headed Vulture as Critically Endangered and Egyptian Vulture as Endangered) have been listed in the IUCN Red List. This has further shown the complexity of the problems.

The cause of vulture declines has been shown to have been caused by the veterinary drug diclofenac (Oaks et al. 2004), which is widely used to treat livestock in Asia. Vultures are exposed to diclofenac by feeding on livestock carcasses which contain residues of this drug. A post-mortem examination of dead or dying birds from India and Nepal also showed the high incidence of diclofenac residues and visceral gout (Shultz et al. 2004). The result of mathematical modeling is consistent with the observed rate of population decline. Models indicate that only a small proportion (one in 130) of carcasses contaminated with lethal levels of diclofenac can cause the observed vulture mortality rate (Green et al. 2004).

Recent research findings have indicated that meloxicam, a new generation NSAID, is safe for vultures and other scavenging birds (Swan et.al. 2006 & Swarup et. al. 2007). It is proven to be medically as effective as diclofenac, economically affordable and is a recommended drug to replace diclofenac for veterinary purpose. Also the drug meloxicam is being used in human medication more than 80 countries in the world

The current efforts to save the vultures in Nepal include the banning of production and import of veterinary drug Diclofenac and promotion of a safe alternative drug Meloxicam. BCN is regularly monitoring the use of these drugs and exchanging Diclofenac with Meloxicam in its working areas. Awareness raising activities about the need to conserve vultures have been and are being conducted at national and local levels. Emphasis is being given to involve media in promoting the plight of vultures as well as the different conservation efforts. Surveys of vultures, their habitat and nesting colonies are being regularly carried out along with surveys of veterinary outlets. With support from the UNDP GEF SGP, a vulture restaurant (Jatayu restaurant in Nepali) has been established in Pithauli of Nawalparasi to provide safe food for vultures as well as to improve the socioeconomic condition of nearby community through income generating activities and similar restaurants are in the process of establishment at several other locations.

Notable Community Participation
The entire project will be implemented by the community members. BCN will play an advisory and coordinating role.

Capacity - Building Component
trainings - management of vulture restaurant and information centre, nature guide, public socialisation, vermicomposting, management of data

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
sale of organic manure, cow hide and bones
nature guides earning income through guiding
fee levied from visitors to see vulture restaurant/information centre
employment opportunities for locals
running tea-stalls and restaurants catering visitors

Gender Focus
Women will also be involved in managing the information centre and will be benefited through vermiculture.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Members of the native indigenous Tharu community, disadvantaged and poorest of the poors will be engaged in the project.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Through employed staff, information centre, radio, tv and other news media public awareness will be raised locally and nationally on global environmental issues.

Project Results
Vulture often prey on weak or dying living being, thus, in Hindu society vultures are negatively phrased. When a vulture descend to a house, the house need to be purified. But with the establishment of vulture restaurant (Jatayu restaurant) and Information center, the antipathy of public towards the vulture is slowly decreasing.

With the establishment of unique community managed vulture restaurant, remarkable progress in increase in vulture population is seen. Prior to establishment of restaurant, maximum of 60 vultures were recorded, where as the figure rose to 160 in 2007-2008. On 4 February 2009, the maximum number (217) of vulture was counted. Seven of eight species found in Nepal have been reported from Jatayu Restaurant which is a very rare case and signifies the remarkable achievement. Similarly, vulture nest numbers have also been increased in the vicinity of the Restaurant since its establishment. Last year the number rose from 17 to 32. In 2009, the number has increased to above 40.

Visitors record showed that 362 people including 57 foreigners have visited the centre.

The project has also been strictly monitoring and discouraging the use of Diclofenac swapping the drug with vulture friendly meloxicam. The project is also instrumental in declaring the area as Diclofenac free zone.

The media coverage of the project is very high. BBC has also telecasted the vulture feasting on caracases in vulture restaurant and featured in BBC as Nepal's restaurant for Vulture

Vulture feeding carcass, BCN, Nawalparasi

Tourist observing Vultures, BCN, Nawalparadi