KATHMANDU, Aug 5: The government in the recently published Vulture Conservation Action Plan (2015-2019) has vowed to effectively remove diclofenac from veterinary use across the country. This non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat livestock had nearly wiped out vultures from the face of earth.
Over the years, Nepal has succeeded in declaring 46 districts as diclofenac-free zones. However, the drug continues to be imported illegally through the porous Nepal-India border."In the coming five years, we aim to completely remove diclofenac from veterinary use," said Khadananda Paudel, vulture conservation officer at Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN).
"If we work together, I firmly believe that we can remove diclofenac from veterinary use in the remaining districts in the next few years," he added.
It is said that over 500,000 vultures of various species were found in Nepal before 2000. But vulture population has come down to a few hundred as the use of diclofenac was left unchecked.
Diclofenac was commonly used to treat a variety of ailments in domesticated animals in South Asia during the 1990s and early 2000s. After recognizing the effect of this harmful drug, Nepal, India and Pakistan banned its production in 2006. Since 2002, BCN along with few other organizations have been working to conserve vulture population in Nepal.
According to BCN, there are currently over 20,000 vultures in Nepal. The total population includes six resident species, two migratory and a vagrant species. The report states there are at least 500 bearded vultures, 2,000 white-rumped vultures, 10,000 Himalayan griffon vultures, 1,000 Egyptian vultures, 500 red-headed vultures and 50 slender-billed vultures.
"While removing diclofenac from veterinary use is our priority, replacing it with another safer NSAID called Melodicam will be encouraged. This drug helps treat the same ailment but without any harmful side effects," said Poudel.
Talking during the program, director general for DNPWC Tikaram Adhikari requested all concerned organizations and authorities to work together to completely remove diclofenac from veterinary use.
"Saving vultures is saving our environment. But it is not possible without cooperation from all stakeholders, including locals," said Poudel.
Besides removing diclofenac from veterinary use, the government also plans to augment wild population of vultures, introduce science-based information systems, and launch vulture conservation awareness programs.
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Govt vows to effectively remove diclofenac from veterinary use
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