Strengthening vulture safe zones in Nawalparasi, Nepal

Anand Chaudhary

Nepal is leading in-situ conservation of vultures in South Asia through innovative approaches such as community-managed vulture restaurants and declaration of Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ). The VSZ approach primarily targets veterinary drug 'diclofenac'. This project aims to measure the potential of other identified raptor mortality causes such as human persecution, food availability and electrocution and at the same time look out for unidentified future challenges for VSZ through a comprehensive socio-cultural survey, survey of veterinary practices, scientific survey of vulture nesting colonies using GIS telemetry and safety of power lines along with enhancing knowledge and skills at community level.