Coimbatore MP Ganapathi P. Rajkumar and Mayor Ranganayaki Ramachandran launched a vehicle awareness campaign on September 7 to mark Vulture Day, highlighting the importance of vulture conservation in the region.
Coimbatore: Coimbatore MP Ganapathi P. Rajkumar and Corporation Mayor Ranganayaki Ramachandran flagged off a vehicle awareness campaign on September 7 to mark Vulture Day in Coimbatore. The campaign, organized by Arulakam, aims to raise awareness about the conservation of vultures in the region.
The first Saturday of September is observed annually as Vulture Day. The awareness vehicle campaign started from VOC Park in Coimbatore, with MP Ganapathi P. Rajkumar waving the flag to inaugurate the event in the presence of Mayor Ranganayaki Ramachandran.
Tamil Nadu State Wildlife Board member Osai K. Kalidasan and DMK Environmental Wing State Vice President N. Manisundar spoke about the importance of protecting vulture species. Arulakam founder S. Bharathidasan explained the campaign's significance, stating, "Vultures that once roamed throughout Tamil Nadu are now confined to forest areas bordering Coimbatore, Nilgiris, and Mudumalai, surviving in small numbers."
Bharathidasan highlighted that the major cause for the decline in vulture populations was the presence of diclofenac, a painkiller, in deceased cattle. Recognizing this, the central government has banned drugs such as diclofenac, aceclofenac, and ketoprofen. He added that vultures also perished due to consuming poisoned carcasses and faced food shortages when animal carcasses were buried.
The awareness campaign, which started in Coimbatore, will cover approximately 800 km, including areas in Erode and Nilgiris districts where vultures are known to frequent. The initiative aims to emphasize the urgent need for vulture conservation in these regions.
The first Saturday of September is observed annually as Vulture Day. The awareness vehicle campaign started from VOC Park in Coimbatore, with MP Ganapathi P. Rajkumar waving the flag to inaugurate the event in the presence of Mayor Ranganayaki Ramachandran.
Tamil Nadu State Wildlife Board member Osai K. Kalidasan and DMK Environmental Wing State Vice President N. Manisundar spoke about the importance of protecting vulture species. Arulakam founder S. Bharathidasan explained the campaign's significance, stating, "Vultures that once roamed throughout Tamil Nadu are now confined to forest areas bordering Coimbatore, Nilgiris, and Mudumalai, surviving in small numbers."
Bharathidasan highlighted that the major cause for the decline in vulture populations was the presence of diclofenac, a painkiller, in deceased cattle. Recognizing this, the central government has banned drugs such as diclofenac, aceclofenac, and ketoprofen. He added that vultures also perished due to consuming poisoned carcasses and faced food shortages when animal carcasses were buried.
The awareness campaign, which started in Coimbatore, will cover approximately 800 km, including areas in Erode and Nilgiris districts where vultures are known to frequent. The initiative aims to emphasize the urgent need for vulture conservation in these regions.