Vulture Awareness Week in Nilgiris blends sports, science and community outreach

A week-long series of events from September 1 to 6 marked International Vulture Awareness Day (September 5) across the Nilgiris and adjoining areas. The initiative was led by the conservation NGO Arulagam, in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Biology at Government Arts College, Ooty, and volunteers from 'State Street'.

To engage younger audiences, the organisers held quiz, elocution, and painting competitions for college students. Participants received certificates and signed a pledge banner in support of vulture conservation, said S. Bharathidasan, secretary of Arulagam. Dr. B. Ramakrishnan, Head of the Department of Wildlife Biology, spoke to students about the ecological role of vultures.

On Sunday, a 'Vulture Trophy' volleyball tournament took place in Anaikatti village within the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR). The event used sports as a platform to bring youth together and highlight the need for a 'Vulture Safe Zone'. Mr. Bharathidasan explained that the aim was to ensure naturally dead livestock carcasses remain safe food sources for vultures, and to stress the cooperation required from the public, especially cattle rearers.

To discourage the use of harmful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac in cattle, free kits of herbal ethno-veterinary medicine (EVM) were distributed to cattle rearers. These kits, developed by 'Your Farm' based on the traditional knowledge of Padma Shri Dr. Punniyamoorthy, offer safer alternatives for treating livestock.

Under the guidance of the Forest Department, cattle tissue samples are being collected to support the official declaration of the Nilgiris region as a Vulture Safe Zone. To aid in preserving these samples, S. Bharathidasan handed over a deep freezer to the IPAN Trust, which was received by its trustee Nigel Otter.