Collapse of Natural Carcass Disposal System …
37
3 Methodology
To discuss various aspects of this newly developed relationship (Gangoso 2013)
between human and vulture, one of the most threatened scavengers of the world at
present, the study consists of the following. We have assessed initially the influence
of human settlement on vulture abundance, their distribution and how their decline
has affected their regular sweeping services. Then our study on existing infrastructure
and methodologies of carcass disposal system of Kolkata Municipal Corporation
(KMC) has identified not only several inadequacies and upgradation requirements,
but it also has shown that how the lacunae in supervision of the dead animal disposal
system helped to initiate an ugly practice of a thoroughly unethical business. We have
finally proposed policy choices in both cases to maintain healthy socio-economic
development along with the biodiversity conservation (Chouhan 1996) by protecting
vulture population.
4 Case Study: Selection of the Study System
4.1 Vultures in India
4.1.1 The Population, Activities, Distribution
Nine species of vultures are living at present in India, most of which are now in
danger of extinction after a rapid and major population collapse in recent decades
(Koenig 2006; Markandya et al. 2008). There are currently about 100,000 vultures
left in India compared to 40 millions in the 1980s, so decline in their population
is nearly by a whopping 98%. This vulture die-off represents the fastest decline
of any species in the world though the decline rate slowed down in recent years.
Their distribution (wiienvis.nic.in/Database/SRP_8555.aspx for Species Recovery
Programme) regionwise is as shown in Fig. 1.
Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) is old world vulture native to Pakistan and Nepal
also. It has been listed as critically endangered since 2002 on the IUCN Red List.
Vultures in India live in communities and are generally very dependent on human
activities. One of the most characteristic features is their soaring behaviour where
using the thermals formed due to warm rising air currents in the sun they fly into
great heights spreading their wings to spot carrion and other scavengers surrounding
a body with their very good eyesight, strong and hooked beak and using the welldeveloped sense of smell before coming down to feed them. This specific practice
helps them to scavenge most effectively compared to other members of the community ensuring almost no leftover of decayed remnants of carrions in the disposal
ground for long, thus provide a great benefit to humans. Otherwise rotten remains
37
3 Methodology
To discuss various aspects of this newly developed relationship (Gangoso 2013)
between human and vulture, one of the most threatened scavengers of the world at
present, the study consists of the following. We have assessed initially the influence
of human settlement on vulture abundance, their distribution and how their decline
has affected their regular sweeping services. Then our study on existing infrastructure
and methodologies of carcass disposal system of Kolkata Municipal Corporation
(KMC) has identified not only several inadequacies and upgradation requirements,
but it also has shown that how the lacunae in supervision of the dead animal disposal
system helped to initiate an ugly practice of a thoroughly unethical business. We have
finally proposed policy choices in both cases to maintain healthy socio-economic
development along with the biodiversity conservation (Chouhan 1996) by protecting
vulture population.
4 Case Study: Selection of the Study System
4.1 Vultures in India
4.1.1 The Population, Activities, Distribution
Nine species of vultures are living at present in India, most of which are now in
danger of extinction after a rapid and major population collapse in recent decades
(Koenig 2006; Markandya et al. 2008). There are currently about 100,000 vultures
left in India compared to 40 millions in the 1980s, so decline in their population
is nearly by a whopping 98%. This vulture die-off represents the fastest decline
of any species in the world though the decline rate slowed down in recent years.
Their distribution (wiienvis.nic.in/Database/SRP_8555.aspx for Species Recovery
Programme) regionwise is as shown in Fig. 1.
Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) is old world vulture native to Pakistan and Nepal
also. It has been listed as critically endangered since 2002 on the IUCN Red List.
Vultures in India live in communities and are generally very dependent on human
activities. One of the most characteristic features is their soaring behaviour where
using the thermals formed due to warm rising air currents in the sun they fly into
great heights spreading their wings to spot carrion and other scavengers surrounding
a body with their very good eyesight, strong and hooked beak and using the welldeveloped sense of smell before coming down to feed them. This specific practice
helps them to scavenge most effectively compared to other members of the community ensuring almost no leftover of decayed remnants of carrions in the disposal
ground for long, thus provide a great benefit to humans. Otherwise rotten remains