SAVE is a coalition of like-minded regional and international organisations formed to oversee and coordinate conservation, campaigning, and fundraising efforts to alleviate the plight of South Asia's vultures. Vultures can be found on every continent except Australasia and Antarctica. In this article, we will discuss Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction (SAVE) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

What is SAVE?

• The Saving Asia's Vultures from Extinction (SAVE) programme announced plans to release up to 25 birds into a 30,000-square-kilometer drug-free "safe zone."
• After witnessing the devastation wrought by a drug on Asian vulture populations, a project hopes to begin releasing captive-bred birds into the wild by 2016.
• Its goal is to use a single programme for saving three critically important species from extinction.
• Bombay Natural History Society, Bird Conservation Nepal, RSPB (UK), National Trust for Nature Conservation (Nepal), International Centre for Birds of Prey (UK), and Zoological Society of London are theSAVE partners.
• SAVE meets once a year to report on the activities of the partners and to review regional priorities in the form of an annually updated Blueprint Recovery Plan, with national breakdowns for key actions.
• There are also two main expert committees: the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Fundraising, Advocacy, and Communications Committee (FACC).
• Vultures have been added to the list of 'critically endangered' species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Priorities of SAVE

SAVE identified the following priorities to ensure that the affected species do not become extinct in the wild:

• To create a number of large "safe zones" within which captive-bred birds can be released. The consortium has identified six such areas with a radius of 100 kilometres, some of which cross national borders into Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
• The establishment of a captive-breeding programme would allow the birds to be released back into the wild when it was safe to do so.

Status of Vultures

• According to the study, three species of South Asian vultures are facing extinction in the near future.
• The Oriental white-blacked vultures, one of the most common large bird preys in the world, were abundant in India during the 1980s.
• Slowly, the number of these vultures has declined dramatically, and there are now fewer than 1000 of them left. The population of this bird has decreased by nearly 99.9 percent.
• The three critically endangered vulture species have declined by more than 97 percent since the 1990s are:
  • Oriental White-backed(Gyps bengalensis)
  • Long-billed (Gyps indicus)
  • Slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)
• Other two species whose populations have declined sharply, despite the fact that no cause of death has been established, are:
  • Red-headed Vulture(Sarcogyps calvushave)
  • Egyptian Vulture(Neophron percnopterus)

Reasons for Decline of Vultures

• Diclofenac, a pain reliever given to cattle, is the primary cause of vulture extinction.
• Vultures, which have a digestive system capable of digesting pathogens found in rotting meat of the dead, lack a critical enzyme that breaks down diclofenac and die of renal failure after eating carcasses of cattle given the drug.
• Vultures that feed on cattle either die from acute kidney failure or lose their ability to reproduce within a few days.
• Although India banned the use of the veterinary drug "Diclofenac," which is toxic to any vulture that feeds on the carcass of recently treated cattle, SAVE found that the drug is still being sold and used illegally today.
• Diclofenac is not the only vulture-toxic Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that is being used to kill vultures.
  • Now that diclofenac has been banned in South Asia and its veterinary use has been greatly reduced, other vulture-toxic NSAIDs are competing with meloxicam for diclofenac's former market share, posing a real threat to the recovery of Asia's critically endangered vultures.
• There are six NSAIDs other than diclofenac that are toxic to vultures: aceclofenac, carprofen, flunixin, ketoprofen, nimesulide, and phenylbutazone.
• Meloxicam is the only known NSAID that is safe for vultures.

Conclusion

Diclofenac was prohibited from being used by veterinarians and farmers in 2006. Following the effect on the vultures, this decision was made. After studying sick birds in the wild, it was determined in 2004 that the decrease in vulture population is caused by the anti-inflammatory drug used to reduce swelling in injured or diseased animals. SAVE is currently working on advocacy to effectively remove diclofenac from veterinary use, the establishment of Vulture Safe Zones, and the development of breeding centres and release programmes.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the primary cause of vulture population decline in Asia?

A) Habitat loss

B) Use of diclofenac in livestock

C) Climate change

D) Hunting

2. Which of the following measures is part of the Save Project Vulture initiative?

A) Banning the use of diclofenac

B) Encouraging the hunting of vultures

C) Promoting eco-tourism

D) Establishing wildlife reserves

3. What is the role of vultures in ecosystems?

A) Pollinating plants

B) Regulating prey populations

C) Acting as natural scavengers

D) Reducing climate change

4. How can diclofenac toxicity be prevented in vultures?

A) By reducing deforestation

B) By banning diclofenac for veterinary use

C) By increasing vulture population density

D) By controlling livestock grazing

5. What other threats, besides diclofenac, contribute to vulture decline?

A) Habitat loss and poisoning

B) Overhunting

C) Invasive species

D) Pollution from plastic

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Explain the ecological importance of vultures in the Asian subcontinent. How does the Save Project Vulture contribute to their conservation?

Answer: Vultures are important for maintaining ecological balance by acting as scavengers, cleaning up carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases. In the Asian subcontinent, vultures play a critical role in nutrient recycling by breaking down animal remains. The Save Project Vulture focuses on addressing the main threat to vulture populations—diclofenac poisoning. By promoting safer alternatives and banning the use of diclofenac, this project helps ensure vultures can continue their ecological functions, contributing to healthier ecosystems and disease control. Conservation efforts are also focused on creating safe habitats and monitoring vulture populations to prevent further decline.

Q2: Discuss the role of government and community involvement in the success of the Save Project Vulture initiative.

Answer: The success of the Save Project Vulture depends on active participation from both the government and local communities. Governments play a key role in implementing and enforcing laws to ban harmful drugs like diclofenac, while also supporting habitat restoration initiatives. Community involvement is essential, as local communities often provide critical information about vulture populations and can assist in monitoring efforts. Awareness campaigns help educate farmers and veterinarians on the harmful effects of diclofenac and encourage the use of vulture-safe veterinary drugs. Collaboration between conservationists, local communities, and policymakers is essential for the project’s long-term success.

Q3: Evaluate the long-term conservation challenges faced by vulture species in Asia. What strategies can be implemented to secure their future?

Answer: Vultures in Asia face several long-term conservation challenges, including ongoing poisoning from diclofenac, loss of suitable habitats, and reduced food availability due to declining livestock populations. To secure their future, it is crucial to implement stricter regulations on the use of toxic drugs, promote alternative veterinary treatments, and protect vulture habitats from further degradation. Long-term monitoring of vulture populations and continued public awareness campaigns are also vital. Additionally, integrating vultures into broader biodiversity conservation programs can help ensure that their ecological services continue to support ecosystem health.

Previous Year Questions on Project Vulture

1. UPSC CSE 2017:

Question: Discuss the conservation measures taken for the protection of vultures in India. How effective are these measures in restoring vulture populations?

Answer: In India, conservation measures for vultures include banning diclofenac and promoting alternative drugs. The establishment of vulture conservation centers and captive breeding programs have been implemented to support population recovery. However, the effectiveness of these measures has been slow due to continued threats like habitat loss and limited awareness in rural areas. Increased monitoring and government initiatives are required for more significant impact.

2. UPSC CSE 2019:

Question: Explain the significance of vultures in the ecosystem. Discuss the initiatives taken to prevent their extinction in South Asia.

Answer: Vultures are essential for ecosystem health as natural scavengers. They help prevent the spread of diseases by cleaning carcasses and returning nutrients to the soil. In South Asia, initiatives like the Save Project Vulture, habitat restoration, and the promotion of vulture-safe drugs have been critical in preventing extinction. However, sustained efforts are needed to ensure long-term recovery and protect vultures from ongoing threats.