Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre
India·Conservation Breeding Centre·21st century
The Jatayu and Sparrow Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC) is a significant facility in Pinjore, Haryana, India, dedicated to the breeding and conservation of critically endangered Indian vultures and the declining house sparrow population. Established in 2001, its research was instrumental in confirming the link between the veterinary drug diclofenac and vulture population decline, leading to a government ban on its use.
Key Facts
- ›Located in Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, Pinjore, Haryana, India.
- ›Co-managed by Haryana Forests Department and Bombay Natural History Society with support from RSPB.
- ›Covers an area of 5 acres.
- ›Established in 2001 as Asia's first vulture breeding facility.
- ›Its research led to the ban of the veterinary drug diclofenac in India.
- ›Also conducts research on the declining house sparrow population.
Indian Vulture, Slender-Billed Vulture, White-Rumped Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, House Sparrow
Vulture Breeding and Release Programs, Research On House Sparrow Population Decline
About Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre
Jatayu and Sparrow Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC)
The Jatayu and Sparrow Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC), located in Pinjore, Haryana, India, stands as a crucial facility dedicated to the preservation of critically endangered vulture species and the increasingly threatened house sparrow. Established in 2001 within the Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, it holds the distinction of being Asia's first dedicated vulture breeding center.
Role in Vulture Conservation
JCBC's research has been pivotal in understanding the severe decline of vulture populations in India. The center's investigations confirmed the devastating impact of the veterinary drug diclofenac, commonly used to treat cattle. When vultures consumed carcasses of animals treated with this drug, it led to fatal kidney failure and liver damage, causing a catastrophic drop in their numbers. The evidence gathered by JCBC directly contributed to the Indian government's decision to ban the veterinary use of diclofenac in 2007-2008, a significant step towards vulture recovery.
Breeding and Release Initiatives
The center is recognized as the world's largest facility for breeding Indian vultures, housing a growing population of these birds. Through advanced aviculture techniques, including artificial incubation, JCBC has successfully accelerated breeding rates, helping to bolster the numbers of species like the Indian vulture, slender-billed vulture, and white-rumped vulture. Since 2016, JCBC has also pioneered vulture release programs in Asia, acclimatizing captive-bred and rehabilitated vultures for life back in the wild. Satellite tracking systems were implemented in 2017 to monitor the progress and adaptation of these released birds, providing invaluable data for future conservation strategies.
Focus on House Sparrows
Beyond its work with vultures, JCBC is also engaged in research concerning the declining population of house sparrows, particularly in regions like Punjab and Haryana. While globally listed as a species of least concern, local declines have prompted JCBC to investigate the causes and develop action plans to help reverse this trend. Efforts to support bird habitats, such as the distribution of nest boxes, are also part of broader conservation efforts.
Partnerships and Future Goals
Operated by the Haryana Forests Department and the Bombay Natural History Society, with support from the British charity Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, JCBC collaborates with numerous organizations. The center's success has inspired the establishment of other vulture breeding facilities across India, forming part of a larger consortium aimed at saving Asia's vultures from extinction and restoring significant portions of their lost populations.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of the Jatayu and Sparrow Conservation Breeding Centre?
The primary purpose of the JCBC is the breeding and conservation of critically endangered Indian vultures and the house sparrow. It also conducts research to understand and reverse population declines in these species.
Where is the Jatayu and Sparrow Conservation Breeding Centre located?
The center is situated within the Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary in Pinjore, in the state of Haryana, India.
When was the JCBC established and what makes it notable?
The JCBC was established in 2001 and is notable for being Asia's first vulture breeding facility. Its research played a crucial role in identifying the impact of diclofenac on vulture populations.
What role did the JCBC play in addressing vulture decline?
The center's research confirmed that the veterinary use of diclofenac in cattle was a major cause of vulture population decline. This led to the Indian government banning the drug's veterinary use in 2007-2008.
Besides vultures, what other species does the JCBC focus on?
The center also focuses on the house sparrow, conducting research into the causes of its declining numbers in regions like Punjab and Haryana, and developing plans to reverse this trend.
What conservation efforts are undertaken at the JCBC?
JCBC undertakes breeding programs for critically endangered vulture species and has initiated programs for releasing vultures back into the wild, including satellite tracking of released birds to monitor their adaptation.
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