Threats to vultures of Uttar Pradesh: A review

Vultures play an important ecological role, maintain a healthy ecosystem, and limit the spread of disease to both people and other animals. India has nine different vulture species. Four are critically endangered, one is endangered, three are near threatened, and one is of least concern. Vulture numbers have sharply decreased in India. Uttar Pradesh has eight species of vulture. Uttar Pradesh comes under the tropical moist deciduous type of vegetation which can be further divided into the following forest types Sal forest, mixed forest, teak plantation, and savannah grasslands. An extensive literature survey was conducted to determine the threats of vultures. The study focuses on different types of threats to vultures in Uttar Pradesh. Some threats are noticed as the use of Diclofenac, shortage of food, habitat loss, infectious diseases, environmental toxins, poisoning of carcasses, electrocution, road accidents, and train accidents. Some suggested measures for vulture conservation are using diclofenac-free carcasses, increasing awareness about vultures, habitat protection, rehabilitation, breeding sites, and roosting sites.