GANDAKI, Sept 21:  Three hundred and eighty-seven vultures were found at Pokhara and its surrounding areas, according to a vulture census recently conducted by Pokhara Bird Society (PBS).

The PBS has been conducting a vulture census in Pokhara and its surrounding areas every 10 years.

PBS Chairperson Manashant Ghimire told RSS that vultures were counted at surrounding areas of Pokhara—Ghachowk, Pumdibhumdi, old and new landfill sites, Dobhilla as well as Shishuwabhateri, of Byas municipality-10 and Cow Conservation Centre of Shuklagandaki municipality of Tanahu, Damauli-based landfill site this year . A total of 387 vultures were found in these areas. 

The vultures are on the verge of extinction due to encroachment in their habitat in recent periods.

The habitat of vultures is at risk due to rampant urbanization in the surrounding areas of Pokhara. Ghimire added that a large number of vultures were used to be found at different places of Pokhara including Chauthe, Majheripatan, Biruwa and Gairikhet around 15-16 years ago, but the vultures have disappeared from these places these days. 

Different studies carried out in Nepal  show that the number of vultures has been decreasing in the last two decades. Researchers said vultures are on the verge of extinction due to use of diclofenac, the anti-inflammatory medicine fed to cattle.

(RSS)

 
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