Conservation Efforts

As an extension to Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra’s vulture conservation work Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund has given grant for vulture conservation efforts in Northern Western Ghats.

ATREEThe Critical Ecosystem Partnership fund

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership fund is a joint initiative of I’Agence Fracaise de Developpement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation.

Vultures on water

Details of this project are as follows:

Project Name: The Konkan Vulture Project: Participatory Vulture Conservation in the Northern

Western Ghats

Duration: 1st Jun 2013 – 30th Nov 2015

Background

  • Vulture monitoring and protection since 2003

  • Anti diclofenac campaigns in Ratnagiri district as a part of the BNHS-IBCN project.

  • Piloting of compensation scheme for coconut growers

  • Awareness drives the State Forest Department

Vulture young in the nestProject objectives:

  • In-Situ Conservation of Vulture nesting through status survey, building and implementing a sustainable conservation plan through various partnerships for protection, monitoring and outreach programs like vulture tourism

  • Develop conducive environment for vulture conservation in larger community and Government Departments and systems

  • Advocating vulture conservation for systemic changes through local and state level schemes and build replicable models

Contributions towards CEPF investment strategy:

  • Linking with CEPF Investment Strategy for the Western Ghats under the Investment Priority 2.2 about conservation of Critically Endangered and Endangered species such as vultures

White-backed Vulture

Impacts envisaged:

  • Decrease in usage of veterinary diclofenac medicines

  • Public-private mechanisms providing incentives for vulture nest protection in the Konkan Region

  • Sensitization and awareness on vulture conservation in the villages in Konkan region, in particular villages wherein vulture activity is reported

Linkages to other CEPF projects 

  • In Situ Conservation of Threatened Vultures in the Moyar Valley of the Westen Ghats

Long-term goals after CEPF funding:

  • Increase in populations of two critically endangered vulture species in the Konkan Region: Oriental White-backed  Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus)

  • Exclusive institutional arrangement for vulture conservation in Konkan region

  • Effective community participation in vulture conservation and monitoring

  • Zero veterinary usage of Diclofenac in the project region