Jatayu Gram Mitra Programme PTR launches the scheme aimed at vulture conservation n PTR to set up specific carcass dumping site in forest areas for feeding the vultures

 

 

To support vulture conservation in Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), the PTR management in collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai has initiated ‘Jatayu Gram Mitra Programme’ on the occasion of Vulture Conservation Day on Saturday. The programme will be held till September 6, 2025. The programme consists of two components -- Reviving the tradition of dumping sites, and Jatayu Gram Mitra Programme. As part of reviving the tradition of dumping sites initiative, specific dumping site will be designated in bushy forest areas outside the village where dead animals can be dumped to ensure the availability of food for vultures in the form of animal carcasses. Livestock owners will be provided with financial assistance to cover the transportation costs and efforts associated with dumping of the carcasses.

 

However, only animals that have died due to old age or illness and have not received any medical treatment recently will be permitted to be dumped at the designated sites. Live stock owners will get Rs 1,500 for calves, Rs 2,500 for adult cows and bulls and Rs 3,500 for adult buffalo, said Dr Prabhunath Shukla, Deputy Director in a press release. The objective behind initiating ‘Jatayu Gram Mitra Programme’ is to increase awareness and ensure the support of community in vulture conservation. Only villages within the tiger reserve area are eligible to participate in this programme. PTR management also constituted a divisional-level committee which will evaluate the participating villages. In the committee, Assistant Forest Conservator, APU, PTR, Nagpur is the Chairperson whereas, Representative of BNHS, Representative from a NGO associated with wildlife, and Range Forest Officer, Paoni (Wildlife)/Nagalwadi (Wildlife) Unified Control are the members of the committee.

 

During the evaluation, the committee consider various factors including creation of awareness about vultures conservation among community; Awareness programmes conducted in schools, Anganwadi centres, and community centres in the village regarding vultures and the awareness generated from these initiatives; Voluntary efforts taken in the village to reduce pollution; Imposing a ban on the use of drugs like Diclofenac, Aceclofenac, Ketoprofen, and Nimesulide while treating domestic animals in the village; Use of vulture-safe drugs like Meloxicam and Tolfenamic Acid; Placing animal carcasses at the designated dump site outside the village and notifying the forest department, along with co-operation extended to the forest department; No incidents where poisoned carcasses caused the death of domestic or wild animals that consumed the contaminated meat; and Innovative practices implemented by the Gram Panchayat for vulture conservation. Three villages will be selected based on their overall efforts. They will be given prize and certificates. Aim of this programme is to ensure the participation of the community for conservation of vulture which are long ranging animal and for which landscape conservation programme is need of hour, informed Dr P N Shukla.