Bijnor : After nearly three decades, vultures are now being spotted in increasing numbers in forests and fields near villages in Bijnor, where they had almost disappeared from the plains around human settlements.
A 2022 census recorded 143 Griffon vultures and 22 young vultures in the Amangarh Tiger Reserve area, compared with 141 vultures in the 2021 survey. No census has been carried out since 2022, but the Forest Department plans to conduct a fresh count after the recent increase in sightings. Because people had earlier cultivated land inside the reserved forest, the return is particularly significant. Because of the harsh conditions in the Himalayas, while some remain in the area throughout the year, officials said many of the vultures migrate to the plains every winter.
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Forest officials said flocks of Himalayan, Cinereous and Griffon vultures have been seen in the Amangarh Tiger Reserve and Mohanpur Reserved Forest. They said the return of the birds is a positive sign for the forest ecosystem, as vultures help dispose of animal carcasses and reduce the risk of disease spreading. The first vulture in decades was spotted at Mohanpur in November last year, officials said. Officials said the presence of leopard kills may have then provided a source of food for vultures, which feed on the remains of dead animals. On International Vulture Day, observed on the first Saturday of September each year to highlight the birds’ ecological importance, DFO Jai Singh Kushwaha said the sightings were a positive sign for Bijnor. The environment appears to be suitable for them, and they are getting food naturally from the carcass remains of animals killed by tigers and leopards,” he said.
After encroachments were removed, the forest department undertook plantation work about two years ago. As the forest gradually became less disturbed, wildlife also began to return, including leopards. “The presence of vultures outside Amangarh is a matter of happiness for Bijnor. Kushwaha added that villagers were being made aware of the importance of vultures and advised not to disturb the birds or their habitats. Download the TOI App.