Consider the following statements about the Vulture Safety Zones. 1. ...
Vulture Safety Zones: The concept of a VSZ is unique for the Asian continent but similar VSZ are in operation in both Europe and Africa.
Aim of developing VSZs is to establish targeted awareness activities surrounding 150 km radius of vultures’ colonies so that no diclofenac or the veterinary toxic drugs are found in cattle carcasses, the main food of vultures(to provide safe food).
The VSZ has spread around in several hundred kilometres covering the Jim Corbett in Uttarakhand, Dudhwa and Katarniaghat forest reserves in UP which is adjoining the Indo-Nepal border. Nepal has already set up VSZ on the Indian borders.
Consider the following statements about the Vulture Safety Zones. 1. ...
Statement 1: The VSZ is in operation only in India.
This statement is incorrect. The Vulture Safety Zones (VSZs) are not limited to India alone. These safety zones have been established in several countries across South Asia, including Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The primary objective of these zones is to protect vultures from the harmful effects of diclofenac and other veterinary drugs.
Statement 2: Aim of developing VSZs is to establish targeted awareness activities surrounding 150 km radius of vultures’ colonies so that no diclofenac or the veterinary toxic drugs are found in cattle carcasses, the main food of vultures.
This statement is correct. The main aim of developing the Vulture Safety Zones is to create targeted awareness activities in the vicinity of vulture colonies. These activities aim to ensure that no diclofenac or other veterinary toxic drugs are present in the carcasses of cattle, which serve as the primary food source for vultures.
The Vulture Safety Zones have been established as part of a conservation strategy to protect vultures, which have been facing a rapid decline in population due to the consumption of diclofenac-contaminated carcasses. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used in veterinary medicine. However, when vultures feed on carcasses of animals treated with diclofenac, it leads to renal failure and eventual death of the birds.
To address this issue, the VSZs have been created around vulture colonies to implement measures that ensure the availability of safe food for vultures. The targeted awareness activities include sensitizing livestock owners, veterinarians, and other stakeholders about the harmful effects of diclofenac on vultures. Efforts are made to promote the use of alternative, vulture-safe drugs and treatments in livestock.
The 150 km radius around vulture colonies has been chosen as a buffer zone to reduce the risk of contaminated carcasses reaching vultures. By raising awareness and promoting vulture-safe practices within this radius, the aim is to prevent the use of diclofenac or other toxic drugs in livestock, thereby safeguarding the vulture population.
In conclusion, statement 1 is incorrect as the VSZs are not limited to India alone. However, statement 2 is correct as the main objective of establishing VSZs is to implement targeted awareness activities within a 150 km radius of vulture colonies to ensure the absence of diclofenac or other veterinary toxic drugs in cattle carcasses, which are the main food of vultures.
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