Vulture conservation takes wing

A series of awareness programmes in Adilabad district helps in increasing the number of birdson Pala Rapu cliff, the vulture habitat

As a logical corollary to its stupendous success in vulture conservation in Adilabad district, the Telangana State Forest Department is taking up an intensive campaign for creating awareness on wildlife, the subject with which even the Adivasis seem to have lost touch.

Documentaries

A 10-minute video documentary on the now critically endangered Bejjur vultures will come out shortly and will add to the array of awareness programmes which have already begun in villages and schools surrounding the picturesque vulture habitat in Murliguda beat of Bejjur forest in Bejjur mandal. A cultural troupe is already on the job telling people the importance of forests and wildlife through songs, skits, dramas, dialogues and monologues, etc. all in local lingo.

“This is like publicity for a good cause,” observed Bejjur Forest Range Officer M. Ram Mohan, the officer who leads the vulture conservation campaign.

“We are exhibiting photographs of wild animals to general public, but more focussed on students towards improving their knowledge about wildlife,” he added.

“We have purchased an LCD projector for the purpose. We will be exhibiting photos and videos in the coming days in order to improve the knowledge of the villagers in relevant subject,” Kagaznagar Divisional Forest Officer M. Ravi Prasad stated.

“If the level of understanding of the villagers improves, there is less chance of their violating conservation laws. Moreover, it will only instil a feeling of empathy in them towards endangered animals,” he observed.

Wildlife biologist and field researcher at the vulture habitat, M. Ravikanth leads the awareness campaign and is supported not only the cultural troupe from Jannaram, but by his team of forest staff, Forest Beat Officer A. Laxmi, Forest Section Officer Saddam Hussain and watchers Tirupati and Subba Rao.

They give talks on the subject and being conversant in local dialect, they are most suited for the job.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department had purchased a spotting scope for closer monitoring of the vulture population on the high Pala Rapu cliff. A night vision binocular is also on its way, according to the DFO.

The vulture habitat was found in 2013 with a population of only eight scavenger birds. The number has increased now with 12 pairs of adults and six chicks being the count.