Vulture Census 2025 in Madhya Pradesh
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Vulture Census in Madhya Pradesh |
| Dates | Winter Census: 17-19 February 2025; Summer Census: Scheduled for 29 April 2025 |
| Frequency | Conducted twice a year in two phases |
| Training Program | One-day training organized by 11 master trainers for 2024-25 |
| Participants | Over 900 forest officers, staff, vulture experts, and ornithologists |
| Winter Census Location | Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (Mandsaur district) |
| Vulture Population | 12,981 vultures recorded in the state |
| Historical Data | First census in 2016 (6,999 vultures); subsequent censuses in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024, and 2025 |
| Vulture Species | India has nine species: Oriental White-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous, Eurasian Griffon |
| Vulture Lifespan | 15 to 30 years |
| Reproduction | Lay eggs once a year on rocks or tall trees |
| Population Decline | Major decline due to diclofenac use in the late 1990s and early 2000s |
| Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary | Established in 1974; located in Mandsaur and Neemuch districts; Chambal River flows through it |
| Ecological Role | Vultures act as natural scavengers, crucial for ecosystem balance |