Vulture count in Chikti forest of Odisha soon

BERHAMPUR: Forest officials will carry out a survey on the rare Egyptian vultures, after a number of them were spotted near Laxmipur in Ganjam district's Chikiti forest range. A bird-watcher recently sighted 13 such birds and reported it to the divisional forest officer (DFO), Berhampur. "A survey should be conducted and their nesting site located," said honorary wildlife warden of KhurdaPityush P Mohapatra.

Supporting Mohapatra's view, DFO (Berhampur) S S Mishra said, "The sight of vultures indicates a healthy and rich biodiversity of the area. We will soon launch a survey."

Berhampur forest division has planned to submit a proposal to the wildlife wing of the forest department to take up a project to conserve the endangered species. The action plan will be prepared after conducting a detailed survey, said Mishra. Locals have sighted these vultures at different places in the rainy season and feel these have come to eat the fish or other small animals.

The number of vultures in south Asia, mainly in India and Nepal, has declined drastically over the last few years. Residues of poisonous veterinary drug in the animal carcasses are a major reason behind the trend, said Swaparna Rani Das, a zoologist. The government has already banned the drug, she added.