Photographer, wildlife researcher and conservationist H Byju's book that was recently released talks about the biodiversity in Moyar Valley and the vulture that inhabit the forests of Nilgiris and Sathyamangalam.
Photographer, wildlife researcher and conservationist H Byju's book that was recently released talks about the biodiversity in Moyar Valley and the vulture that inhabit the forests of Nilgiris and Sathyamangalam.
The book captures his travel in the Moyar Valley where he tracked vultures that were nesting for over two years. Byju is a vital cog in the Vulture Conservation Working Group - South India. He is a core member of vulture studies in Mudumalai and Satyamangalam Tiger Reserves.
Talking about the book Byju said, "It is sure to make you aware of the vultures and the Moyar biosphere. I have visited more than 90 forest areas in India and participated in many wildlife surveys in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, but I am always fascinated with the Mudumalai forests, the beauty of the Moyar gorge. It is here I saw the vultures for the first time".
He says vultures, which were found in large numbers over 200 years ago, are now an endangered species. Just 250 vultures live here now. Though abhorred by many, vultures feed on carcasses of animals and preserve the ecosystem.
Byju laments thatveterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, administered to cattle, poses a great threat to the vultures. Despite a ban on this drug, it is still widely used. He says the vultures can be preserved only if diclofenac is removed from the scene.
He says the indigenous Toda tribals call the king vulture 'poosari kazhugu. 'They believe that their ancestors visit them in the form of eagles.
Byu feels confident that the number of vultures will increase in the future as he found many live nests with a lot of juveniles.