International Vulture Awareness Day Signature Campaign | Sept 2025 | #vultureday25
International Vulture Awareness Day is observed internationally every year on the first Saturday in September. To mark the occasion, the Arulagam Nature Conservation Organisation has been conducting various awareness programmes in the Nilgiris and Sathyamangalam regions. As part of these efforts, a three-day signature campaign was launched in collaboration with the Government Arts College Eco Club at the Ooty Rose Garden and Moyar village.
The organisers explained that the campaign highlights the role of vultures as nature's sanitary engineers and aims to garner public support for protecting these essential birds, which prevent disease by consuming carcasses.
Bharathidasan, the secretary of Arulagam, said that the signature campaign is being held in public places in order to change the negative public perception of vultures. He also welcomed the central government's ban on painkillers such as diclofenac, aceclofenac, ketoprofen and nimesulide, which were the main reason for the decline in the vulture population.
He praised the Tamil Nadu government for setting up the Raptor Research Foundation to conserve all raptors including vultures. He also welcomed the fact that the institute has released standard operating procedures for leaving wild animal carcasses unburied so that scavenging animals can feed on them.
He also highlighted the slow but steady increase in the vulture population, which is due to the collaboration of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Animal Husbandry Department and Drug Control Department. He stressed that multi stakeholder participation is needed for this growth to continue. He specifically requested that veterinary practitioners, livestock herders and drug sellers refrain from using banned drugs altogether. He also appealed for an end to the cruel practice of poisoning carcasses, urging people to leave dead animals unburied. He requested that the government showcase these birds, which symbolise the pride of the Nilgiris, at flower shows.
The event was graced by special guests Ms. Priya, Horticulture Officer; Prof. Ramakrishnan, Head of the Wildlife Biology Department; and Joe Melkis Raja, Joint Secretary of Arulagam.
Three types of vultures, the White-rumped Vulture, the Red-headed Vulture, and the Indian Vulture live in the Nilgiri district. It is noteworthy that the survey conducted this year revealed a population of 288 White-rumped Vultures, 47 Red-headed Vultures, and 50 Indian Vultures.
The signature campaign banner with a QR code, which provided more information about vultures in multiple languages including Tamil, English, Malayalam, and Telugu, greatly impressed the visitors. Each person who signed was also given a bookmark with an awareness message.
The event was organised by researchers Thrishya and Varsha, and on behalf of Arulagam, Ms.Nilitha, Mr.John, Ms.Sivarajani, Mr.Vibish, Ms.Sundari, Ms.Revathi, and Ms.Kavitha.
