- The world’s first conservation and breeding center for the critically endangered Asian king vulture is set to open in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district.
- The center, named Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre (JCBC), is spread over 1.5 hectares and is designed to maintain a sustainable population of the species by breeding king vultures in captivity and releasing them into the wild.
- The JCBC, worth approximately Rs 15 crore, features multiple aviaries, including breeding and holding aviaries, nursery aviaries for juveniles, hospital and recovery aviaries, a food processing center, and an incubation center.
- The Asian king vulture is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act and is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
- The use of diclofenac in veterinary medicine in India has led to a population decline in recent years, and the JCBC aims to have at least 40 vultures in captivity over 15 years to ensure the sustainable conservation of the species.
- The Forest Department has partnered with the Bombay Natural History Society for technical guidance.
Asian vulture:-
- The red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), also known as the Asian king vulture, is mainly endemic to northern India.
- In 2004, the species was listed as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN and in 2007; it was listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.
- The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched a ‘Vulture Action Plan 2020-25’ for the conservation of vultures in the country.
- Four rescue centers are proposed for different geographical areas like Pinjore (Haryana) in North India, Bhopal in Central India, Guwahati in Northeast and Hyderabad in South India.
