A recent survey in Sudurpashchim Province recorded a total of 147 nests of rare vultures, including white-rumped and slender-billed species. The survey, conducted across various districts in 2023 and 2024, found 132 nests of the white-rumped vulture, nine of the Himalayan vulture, and three each of the slender-billed and bearded vultures. Kanchanpur district hosted the highest number, with 120 nests.
In Kanchanpur’s Bhojpurphat area, 82 nests of white-rumped vultures and two of slender-billed vultures were identified, while Hirapur had one slender-billed vulture nest. Other significant findings in Kanchanpur included 17 nests in Tarapur, six in Bansha, eight in Parsia, and one in Kanja. Additionally, the Khutiya Important Bird and Biodiversity Area in Kailali recorded 13 white-rumped vulture nests, and Dadeldhura had two nests. In Khodpe, Baitadi, nine Himalayan vulture nests and three bearded vulture nests were found.
Bird expert Hiru Lal Dagaura noted that the vulture population in Sudurpashchim Province has shown improvement despite a decline in Kailali due to habitat destruction. He highlighted the discovery of a new breeding area in Dadeldhura as a positive development.
Vultures typically nest in tall trees, but habitat destruction in Kailali, caused by deforestation, storms, and floods, has led to a decline in vulture nests. The government has implemented a vulture conservation action plan, including a ban on the veterinary drug Diclofenac, which is harmful to vultures. Despite these efforts, illegal Diclofenac use continues to threaten vulture populations.
Additional conservation measures include the establishment of safe feeding centers like Jatayu Restaurant, veterinary monitoring, habitat conservation, and public awareness campaigns. However, challenges such as unmanaged electric wires, food shortages due to modern agricultural practices, and the use of other harmful veterinary drugs like Ketoprofen, Aceclofenac, Carprofen, and Flunixin persist.
To raise awareness and strengthen conservation efforts, Nepal is observing International Vulture Awareness Day from September 1 to 7.