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Vulture Conservation and Threats in India

PYQs

3

Articles

1

Momentum

11

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Highlights critical environmental issues, ecological balance, public health linkages (One Health), challenges in conservation, and the impact of human activities on wildlife. Relevant for Environment, Ecology, and Public Health sections.

Vultures are critical scavengers in ecosystems, playing a vital role in carcass removal and disease prevention. India has experienced one of the most severe vulture population crashes globally, leading to significant ecological and public health consequences.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Population Crash

99.5% decline in India's vulture population (white-rumped, Indian, slender-billed) by 2007 from 1980s levels.

Chemical Threat

Diclofenac (a veterinary NSAID) was the primary cause, leading to kidney failure; bans extended to aceclofenac and ketoprofen in 2023.

Electrocution Threat

Emerging threat from expanding power infrastructure, especially for wide-wingspan raptors perching on elevated structures.

Ecological Impact

Decline led to increased feral dog populations, rabies outbreaks, and estimated 4% rise in human mortality, costing India $69.4 billion annually.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaBiodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Conceptual areaFlora & Fauna Dynamics
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Vultures: Key scavengers, prevent disease spread.
  • 99.5% decline by 2007 due to diclofenac.
  • New threat: Electrocution from power lines.
  • Ecological impact: Increased feral dogs, rabies, human mortality.
  • Conservation: NSAID bans, infrastructure modification.

Topic timeline

Biodiversity Conservation & Protected AreasFlora & Fauna Dynamics
Prelims 2018· Conceptual understanding, Cause and effect relationships

Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in the news?

Open question
Prelims 2020· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can b...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build...

Open question

Deadly span: On vulture safety in India, threat of electrocution

01 Sep 2026 · Vulture populations in India faced a catastrophic decline due to veterinary NSAIDs like diclofenac, leading to ecological imbalances and public health crises (rabies). A new significant threat is electrocution from power infrastructure, necessitating urgent conservation measures.

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Related topics

Current topic

Vulture Conservation and Threats in India

Often confused with

Global Economic Governance and Development

Open notesOften confused with

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 3 linked questions on Vulture Conservation and Threats in India in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Vulture Conservation and Threats in India

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build...

2026·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in the news?

2018·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can b...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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