The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to constitute a committee for monitoring illegal use of banned drug, Diclofenac, in animals, which has deadly impact on vulture population in the country.
The NHRC has issued the direction while hearing a complaint filed by Akhand, an Odisha-based human rights activist, who a year ago had alleged that Diclofenac poisoning has drastically brought down vulture population in India, pushing them to the brink of extinction.
“Sudden drop in vulture population led to collapse of the natural animal disposal system in India that has had obvious and multiple consequences on human beings. It creates environmental imbalance affecting human lives,” he submitted.
Mr. Akhand maintained as carcasses once eaten by vultures now rot in village fields, contaminating water sources which ultimately endangers human lives.
Subsequently, the Commission had called for a report in this connection. Director (Drugs) in Health and Family Welfare had mentioned in its report that the government had prohibited manufacture, sale and distribution of Diclofenac and its formulations for animal use in 2008.
“In order to further restrict illegal use of Diclofenac injection in animals meant for human use, the matter was again considered by the Drug Testing Advisory Board to curb such practice also. To prevent illegal use of drug Diclofenac in animals, the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, had been amended in 2014 to make it mandatory that the drug for human use should be packed in single unit dose pack only,” the report pointed out.
