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58-571: It has been a wildlife sanctuary since 1976. As of March 2013, in-principle approval by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has been granted for upgrading it to a status of tiger reserve . It will become a tiger reserve by the notification of the Government of Madhya Pradesh. Its close proximity to the capital and its relatively untouched forests makes it a promising attraction for tourists and

116-458: A carcass, they quickly descend and feed voraciously. They perch on trees nearby and are known to sometimes descend also after dark to feed. At kill sites, they are dominated by red-headed vultures Sarcogyps calvus . In forests, their soaring often indicated a tiger kill. They swallow pieces of old, dry bones such as ribs and of skull pieces from small mammals. Where water is available they bathe regularly and also drink water. A pack of vultures

174-458: A cluster of trees or soaring at great heights in search of food (K. Sharma pers. comm. 2002). The Ratapani dam at the periphery of the sanctuary invites thousands of migratory birds in winter. There are many smaller reservoirs dotted all over the sanctuary. The total waterfowl populations in all these smaller reservoirs and Ratapani reservoir would easily exceed 20,000 (A4iii criteria). Moreover, these waterbodies also attract large wading birds such as

232-496: A drooped neck posture and this was considered a symptom of pesticide poisoning , but subsequent studies suggested that this may be a thermoregulatory response as the posture was seen mainly during hot weather. It has been suggested that rabies cases have increased in India due to the decline. In Southeast Asia, the near-total disappearance of white-rumped vultures predated the present diclofenac crisis, and probably resulted from

290-428: A mean height of 26.73 m (87.7 ft). Their nests were 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long, 40 cm (16 in) wide and 15 cm (5.9 in) deep. Hatchlings were seen from the first to the second week of January. Solitary nests are not used regularly and are sometimes taken over by the red-headed vulture and large owls such as Bubo coromandus . The male initially brings twigs and arranges them to form

348-603: A tiger found in the area of Lunavada in Mahisagar district of Gujarat State, before being spotted dead, was said to have come from this sanctuary. Alfa Valley is located in the arms of Ratapani with backdrop of 20,000 Acres Vindhyanchal Ranges. Rich in flora and fauna and pristine combination of valley, mountain, lakes, dam and biodiversity make Alfa Valley a heaven. Alfa Valley is owned by Alfavision Overseas India Ltd., BSE Listed company based in Mumbai. [1] The Ratapani WLS

406-685: Is also seen often. Smaller animals, like squirrels, mongooses, gerbils, porcupines, hares, etc. are of common occurrence. Among reptiles, important species include different kinds of lizards, chameleon, snakes, etc. Among snakes, cobra, python, viper, krait, etc. are common. More than 150 species of birds are seen here. A few to mention are the common babbler, crimson-breasted barbet, bulbul, bee-eater, baya, cuckoo, kingfisher, kite, lark, Bengal vulture, sunbird, white wagtail, crow pheasant, jungle crow, egrets, myna, jungle fowl, parakeets, partridges, hoopoe, quails, woodpeckers, blue jay, dove, black drongo, flycatcher, flower pecker and rock pigeon. In February 2019,

464-472: Is an Old World vulture native to South and Southeast Asia. It has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2000, as the population severely declined. White-rumped vultures die of kidney failure caused by diclofenac poisoning. In the 1980s, the global population was estimated at several million individuals, and it was thought to be "the most abundant large bird of prey in

522-544: Is chaired by the Minister for Environment and Forests, with the Minister of State for Environment and Forests serving as the vice-chairperson. Official members include representatives from various ministries such as Environment and Forests, Tribal Affairs, Social Justice and Empowerment, as well as from commissions related to Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes . Additionally, members from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and

580-414: Is covered with grey down. The parents feed them with bits of meat from a carcass. The young birds remain for about three months in the nest. Mycoplasmas have been isolated from tissues of a white-rumped vulture. Mallophagan parasites such as Falcolipeurus and Colpocephalum turbinatum have been collected from the species. Ticks, Argas (Persicargas) abdussalami , have been collected in numbers from

638-487: Is found in the wildlife sanctuary. Some precipitous hills have cliffs; have large rock blocks and talus at the base. This unique feature provides shelter to various animals like vultures, reptiles and small mammals. Carnivores in the sanctuary include the tiger , leopard , dhole , hyena , jackal and fox, and the herbivores include chital , sambar , nilgai , four-horned antelope , langur and wild boar, and primates: langur and rhesus macaque . The omnivorous sloth bear

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696-421: Is mostly resident. Like other vultures it is a scavenger , feeding mostly on carcasses, which it finds by soaring high in thermals and spotting other scavengers. A 19th century experimenter who hid a carcass of dog in a sack in a tree considered it capable of finding carrion by smell. It often flies and sits in flocks. At one time, it was the most numerous vulture in India. Within the well-supported clade of

754-489: Is much smaller than the Eurasian Griffon. It has a white neck ruff. The adult's whitish back, rump, and underwing coverts contrast with the otherwise dark plumage. The body is black and the secondaries are silvery grey. The head is tinged in pink and bill is silvery with dark ceres. The nostril openings are slit-like. Juveniles are largely dark and take about four or five years to acquire the adult plumage. In flight,

812-462: Is now one of eight species placed in the genus Gyps that was introduced in 1809 by the French zoologist Marie Jules César Savigny . The genus name is from Ancient Greek gups meaning "vultur". The species is monotypic : no subspecies are recognised. The white-rumped vulture is a typical, medium-sized vulture, with an unfeathered head and neck, very broad wings, and short tail feathers. It

870-503: Is rich in the typical wildlife of central India. Not much work has been done on the birds of Ratapani, although frequent visits by birdwatchers to the site provide baseline information on the species seen in and around the site. More than 150 species of birds are reported from Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary(K. Sharma pers. comm. 2003). Oriental white-backed vulture ( Gyps bengalensis ), long-billed vulture ( Gyps indicus ) and red-headed vulture ( Sarcogyps calvus ) are often found perched on

928-671: The CITES conference in June, China proposed an amendment to the Convention text regulating the trade in tiger parts. This proposal aimed to authorize China to trade in 'parts and derivatives' obtained from captive-bred tigers. However, the proposal was rejected by the CITES Parties. Instead, a significant decision was made stating that 'tigers should not be bred for trade in their parts and derivatives'. The most recent audit conducted by

986-627: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) conducted a comprehensive survey utilizing camera traps for tiger population estimation, diverging from the conventional method of footprint counting ( pugmarks ). The report titled Status of the Tigers, Co-predators, and Prey in India , published by the National Tiger Conservation Authority , revealed a significant discrepancy from previous estimates, suggesting that

1044-521: The sarus crane ( Grus antigone ), painted stork ( Mycteria leucocephala ), black-necked stork ( Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus ) and white-necked stork ( Ciconia episcopus ) (K. Sharma pers. comm. 2002). The rich diversity in terrestrial species throughout the sanctuary calls for a proper bird survey of the area. Ratapani retains some of the finest representative forest cover of the Indo-Malayan Tropical Dry Zone (Biome-11). Of

1102-489: The 59 bird species identified by BirdLife International (undated) in this biome, 33 are found in Ratapani, further proving the importance of this site for the protection of biome species. Detailed studies could reveal more bird species. This large sanctuary faces pressures from all directions. Illicit felling, grazing by cattle, poaching and encroachment are the major concerns for the management. Presence of 26 villages inside

1160-719: The Authority in 2018 estimated the population of wild tigers at 2967, marking an increase of 33% since 2014. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 underwent an amendment in 2006, establishing the National Tiger Conservation Authority responsible for implementing the Project Tiger plan aimed at safeguarding endangered tigers. Chaired by the Minister for Environment and Forests, the Authority comprises eight experts or professionals with qualifications and experience in wildlife conservation and

1218-463: The Madhya Pradesh tourism board plans to make it a wildlife destination in the near future. The reserve is rich in flora and fauna and a wide variety of birds and mammals call it their home. The total forest area is around 824 square kilometres (318 sq mi) and the landscape is undulating, with hills, plateaus, valleys and plains. A number of seasonal streams irrigate the site in

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1276-603: The National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau, also known as the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau . Over the years, the necessity for a Statutory Authority with legal authority to enforce tiger conservation measures has become apparent. Following recommendations from the National Board for Wildlife , a Task Force was established to address

1334-624: The States by promoting eco-development and encouraging people's participation in line with approved management plans. It extends support to similar initiatives in neighboring areas, ensuring alignment with both Central and state laws. The Tiger Conservation Authority is mandated to prepare an Annual Report, which is subsequently presented in Parliament alongside the Audit Report for scrutiny. State-level Steering Committees are established in

1392-595: The Tiger States, chaired by their respective Chief Ministers. This measure, proposed by the Tiger Task Force established by the Prime Minister, aims to enhance coordination, monitoring, and protection efforts for tigers within the states. Provisions are in place for state governments to formulate a comprehensive Tiger Conservation Plan. This plan encompasses staff training and deployment to ensure

1450-600: The Towers of Silence in Bombay.” T. C. Jerdon noted that “[T]his is the most common vulture of India, and is found in immense numbers all over the country, ... At Calcutta one may frequently be seen seated on the bloated corpse of some Hindoo floating up or down with the tide, its wing spread, to assist in steadying it...” Before the 1990s they were even seen as a nuisance, particularly to aircraft as they were often involved in bird strikes . In 1941 Charles McCann wrote about

1508-598: The Wildlife Preservation department are part of the Authority, along with six chief wildlife wardens from Tiger Reserve States on a rotational basis. Three Members of Parliament are nominated by the Parliament, and an officer from the Ministry of Law and Justice is also nominated. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is responsible for selecting eight non-official experts or professionals with specified qualifications and experience, including at least two from

1566-622: The adults show a dark leading edge of the wing and has a white wing-lining on the underside. The undertail coverts are black. It is the smallest of the Gyps vultures, but is still a very large bird. It weighs 3.5–7.5 kg (7.7–16.5 lb), measures 75–93 cm (30–37 in) in length, and has a wingspan of 1.92–2.6 m (6.3–8.5 ft). This vulture builds its nest on tall trees often near human habitations in northern and central India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and southeast Asia, laying one egg. Birds form roost colonies. The population

1624-482: The carcasses. This species, as well as the Indian vulture and slender-billed vulture has suffered a 99% population decrease in India and nearby countries since the early 1990s. The decline has been widely attributed to poisoning by diclofenac , which is used as veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), leaving traces in cattle carcasses which when fed on leads to kidney failure in birds. Diclofenac

1682-776: The challenges facing tiger conservation in the country. Among its recommendations, the Task Force proposed enhancing Project Tiger by granting it statutory and administrative authority, along with establishing the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. Additionally, it suggested the submission of an annual report to the Central Government for presentation in Parliament, to ensure ongoing commitment to Project Tiger and address local community concerns. The National Tiger Conservation Authority will facilitate Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with States within

1740-479: The collapse of large wild ungulate populations and improved management of dead livestock, resulting in a lack of available carcasses for vultures. Currently, only the Cambodia and Burma populations are thought to be viable though those populations are still very small (low hundreds). It has been suggested that the use of meloxicam (another NSAID) as a veterinary substitute that is safer for vultures would help in

1798-537: The core area of a tiger reserve or hunting within the reserve has been elevated. A first conviction in such offenses carries a sentence of imprisonment ranging from three to seven years, along with a fine ranging from fifty thousand to two lakh rupees . Subsequent convictions entail imprisonment of no less than seven years, and a fine of no less than five lakh rupees, which may extend to fifty lakh rupees. Oriental white-backed vulture Pseudogyps bengalensis The white-rumped vulture ( Gyps bengalensis )

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1856-525: The death of Borassus palms due to the effect of excreta from vultures roosting on them. In 1990, the species had already become rare in Andhra Pradesh in the districts of Guntur and Prakasham . The hunting of the birds for meat by the Bandola ( Banda ) people there was attributed as a reason. A cyclone in the region during 1990 resulted in numerous livestock deaths and no vultures were found at

1914-576: The decline. An alternate hypothesis is an epidemic of avian malaria , as implicated in the extinctions of birds in the Hawaiian islands. Evidence for the idea is drawn from an apparent recovery of a vulture following chloroquine treatment. Yet another suggestion has been that the population changes may be linked with long term climatic cycles such as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation . Affected vultures were initially reported to adopt

1972-429: The federal system for tiger conservation efforts. It will also provide oversight by Parliament. Additionally, it will address the livelihood interests of local communities in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves, ensuring that the rights of Scheduled Tribes and other residents are not infringed upon or adversely affected. Clear definitions have been established for core (critical) and buffer (peripheral) areas while safeguarding

2030-730: The field of tribal development. The Inspector General of Forests in charge of Project Tiger serves as the Member Secretary of the Authority. The ministry is currently establishing the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, in accordance with provisions outlined in recent amendments. The Bureau's functions include gathering intelligence on wildlife crime, coordinating with State Governments and other relevant authorities, developing infrastructure, and enhancing capacity for scientific and professional investigation of wildlife crimes. Additionally, it will support State Governments in prosecuting such crimes effectively. The penalty for offenses related to

2088-416: The genus Gyps which includes Asian, African, and European populations, it has been determined that this species is basal with the other species being more recent in their species divergence. White-rumped vultures usually become active when the morning sun is warming up the air so that thermals are sufficient to support their soaring. They were once visible above Calcutta in large numbers. When they find

2146-768: The government, in-principle approval has been accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for creation of two new tiger reserves, and the sites are: Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh) and Sunabeda (Odisha). Final approval has been accorded to Kudremukh (Karnataka) and Rajaji (Uttarakhand) for declaring as a tiger reserve. The state governments have been advised to send proposals for declaring the following areas as tiger reserves: (i) Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh), (ii) Guru Ghasidas National Park (Chhattisgarh), (iii) Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa), (iv) Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel / Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuaries / Varushanadu Valley (Tamil Nadu) and (v) Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh). A large variety of wildlife

2204-648: The illegal trade in tiger skins and bones persists in Tibet and China. Owners of these captive tigers, which are often inbred and unfit for survival in the wild, appear to be aiming to monopolize this clandestine business once wild tigers are declared extinct. Such captive tigers, if released into the wild, would likely contribute to the demise of the species in its natural habitat. Farmers openly acknowledge that tigers are hunted for their body parts, which are sought after for use in Traditional Medicine. During

2262-537: The interests of Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers. The functions and powers of the Authority include, among others: approving Tiger Conservation Plans prepared by States, setting normative standards for tiger conservation, providing information on various aspects such as protection measures, tiger estimation, and patrolling, addressing human-wildlife conflicts and promoting coexistence with local communities, preparing annual reports for presentation to Parliament, establishing Steering Committees by States, overseeing

2320-516: The monsoon, and water is retained in some pools along these streams even in the summer. Two large reservoirs, namely Barna Reservoir and Ratapani Dam (Barrusot lake) are among the major waterbodies adjacent to or inside the sanctuary. The forest of Ratapani is dry deciduous and moist deciduous type, with teak ( Tectona grandis ) as the main tree species. About 55% of the area is covered by teak. The remaining mixed forests consist of various dry deciduous species. Bamboo ( Dendrocalamus strictus ) overlaps

2378-477: The nest. During courtship the male bills the female's head, back and neck. The female invites copulation, and the male mounts and hold the head of the female in his bill. Usually, the female lays a single egg, which is white with a tinge of bluish-green. Female birds destroy the nest on loss of an egg. They are usually silent but make hissing and roaring sounds at the nest or when jostling for food. The eggs hatch after about 30 to 35 days of incubation. The young chick

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2436-548: The opportunity to establish Tiger Conservation Foundations, drawing from successful models implemented in various tiger reserves. These foundations will operate as trusts, established in accordance with relevant state laws. They will be granted administrative autonomy by the state government to generate funds and promote activities such as eco-tourism and eco-development in collaboration with local communities. The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 (No. 39 of 2006) became effective on September 4, 2006. This legislation establishes

2494-408: The preparation of tiger protection and conservation plans by States, safeguarding the agricultural and livelihood interests of people residing in and around Tiger Reserves, and assisting States in establishing tiger conservation foundations to support their development efforts. The National Tiger Conservation Authority was notified on September 4, 2006, initially for a three-year period. The Authority

2552-487: The previously estimated 1,233 tigers in these areas in 2002. The 2002 survey had suggested a total tiger population of 3,500 in India, while the recent survey indicates a reduced figure of just 1,400 remaining tigers nationwide. Translocating villagers out of tiger reserves can be considered an effective strategy, provided it is carried out with sensitivity. This approach offers villagers improved access to education and healthcare while enabling them to engage in farming without

2610-482: The recovery. Campaigns to ban the use of diclofenac in veterinary practice have been underway in several South Asian countries. Conservation measures have included reintroduction , captive-breeding programs and artificial feeding or "vulture restaurants". Two chicks, which were apparently the first captive-bred white-rumped vultures ever, hatched in January 2007, at a facility at Pinjore . However, they died after

2668-450: The risk of tiger attacks. Additionally, the absence of human disturbance allows the tiger's prey to thrive, while making it more challenging for poachers to operate. In China , despite a ban on domestic trade in tiger body parts instituted 14 years ago, reports suggest that approximately 5,000 tigers are confined to small cages, primarily for exhibition purposes. A recent investigation conducted by EIA with assistance from WPSI revealed that

2726-561: The roost trees of these vultures in Pakistan. A captive individual lived for at least 12 years. The white-rumped vulture was originally very common especially in the Gangetic plains of India, and often seen nesting on the avenue trees within large cities in the region. Hugh Whistler noted for instance in his guide to the birds of India that it “is the commonest of all the vultures of India, and must be familiar to those who have visited

2784-431: The safeguarding and development of tiger reserves, while also ensuring sustainable forestry practices in surrounding areas. Additionally, measures are in place to safeguard the agricultural, livelihood, and developmental interests of communities residing within or near forested areas and tiger reserves. Clear delineation of core and buffer areas helps prevent ambiguity in management and conservation efforts. States will have

2842-529: The sanctuary and another 109 villages around it exert the associated anthropogenic pressures. These villages are dependent for their day-to-day needs on the biomass resources of the sanctuary. Forest fires, natural and man-made, are a major problem in summer. The long, narrow area of Ratapani WLS(about 70 km long and about 15 km wide) makes it more vulnerable to intensive biotic pressure in most of its areas. National Tiger Conservation Authority The National Tiger Conservation Authority ( NTCA )

2900-471: The tiger population in India might have been overestimated. The survey indicated the presence of approximately 1411 adult tigers in India, with additional uncensused tigers in the Sundarbans region. For instance, across 16 reserves spanning Madhya Pradesh , Rajasthan , Maharashtra , and Chhattisgarh , the tiger population is estimated to be approximately 490, marking a significant decline of 60% from

2958-546: The two aforementioned forest types and covers about one quarter of the forest area. Bhimbetka rock shelters , are located within this tiger reserve. These rock shelters were inhabited by man hundreds of thousand years ago and some of the rock paintings of the Stone Age are more than 30,000 years old. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . The tourist places include Bhimbetka , Delawari, Ginnorhgarh Fort, Ratapani Dam, KairiMahadeo and Kherbana Mandir. As per

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3016-448: The vicinity. The preferred nesting trees were Banyan , Peepul , Arjun , and Neem . The main nesting period was November to March with eggs being laid mainly in January. Several pairs nest in the vicinity of each other and isolated nests tend to be those of younger birds. Nests are lined with green leaves. In Mudumalai Tiger Reserve , white-rumped vultures used foremost Terminalia arjuna and Spondias mangifera trees for nesting at

3074-535: The vultures in the genus Vultur and coined the binomial name Vultur bengalensis . Gmelin based his description on the "Bengal vulture" that had been described and illustrated in 1781 by the English ornithologist John Latham in his multi-volume A General Synopsis of Birds . Latham had seen a live bird at the Tower of London and had been told by the keeper that it had come from Bengal. The white-rumped vulture

3132-1091: The welfare of local communities, including tribal populations. Additionally, three Members of Parliament, two elected by the House of the People and one by the Council of States, serve on the Authority. The Inspector General of Forests, overseeing Project Tiger, holds the position of ex-officio Member Secretary. The Authority is tasked with establishing normative standards and guidelines for tiger conservation within Tiger Reserves , as well as National Parks and Sanctuaries. Its responsibilities include providing information on protection measures such as conservation plans, tiger estimation, disease surveillance, mortality surveys, patrolling activities, and reports on any untoward incidents. Additionally, it oversees various management aspects related to conservation planning. The Authority also facilitates and supports tiger reserve management in

3190-682: The world". As of 2021, the global population was estimated at less than 6,000 mature individuals. It is closely related to the European griffon vulture ( Gyps fulvus ). At one time it was believed to be closer to the white-backed vulture of Africa and was known as the Oriental white-backed vulture . The white-rumped vulture was formally described in 1788 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revised and expanded edition of Carl Linnaeus 's Systema Naturae . He placed it with

3248-772: Was also found to be lethal at low dosages to other species in the genus Gyps . Other NSAIDs were also found to be toxic, to Gyps as well as other birds such as storks. It was shown between 2000-2007 annual decline rates in India averaged 43.9% and ranged from 11-61% in Punjab . Organochlorine pesticide residues were found from egg and tissue samples from around India varying in concentrations from 0.002 μg/g of DDE in muscles of vulture from Mudumalai to 7.30 μg/g in liver samples from vultures of Delhi. Dieldrin varied from 0.003 and 0.015 μg/g. Higher concentrations were found in Lucknow. These pesticide levels have not however been implicated in

3306-774: Was founded in India in December 2005, based on a recommendation put forth by the Tiger Task Force. The Prime Minister of India established the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to streamline the management of Project Tiger and numerous Tiger Reserves of India . In 1973, the Government of India , in collaboration with the WWF , initiated a conservation program known as the Tiger Protection Program, commonly referred to as Project Tiger . In June 2010,

3364-639: Was observed to have cleaned up a whole bullock in about 20 minutes. Trees on which they regularly roost are often white from their excreta, and this acidity often kills the trees. This made them less welcome in orchards and plantations. They sometimes feed on dead vultures. One white-rumped vulture was observed when getting caught in the mouth of a dying calf. Jungle crows have been sighted to steal food brought by adults and regurgitated to young. Allan Octavian Hume observed "hundreds of nests" and noted that white-rumped vultures used to nest on large trees near habitations even when there were convenient cliffs in

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