On September 6, 2025, BNHS celebrated the International Vulture Awareness Day 2025 at Bhopal’s Van Vihar National Park & Zoo in collaboration with the BNHS–Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, Bhopal.
A Day Dedicated To Vultures
Every year, the first Saturday of September is dedicated to International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD)—a global movement that began in 2009 through the efforts of the Birds of Prey Programme (South Africa) and the Hawk Conservancy Trust (The United Kingdom). Since then, conservation organizations, zoos, schools, and community groups worldwide have joined hands to raise awareness about these unsung heroes of our ecosystems.
Vultures, though often misunderstood, are nature’s ultimate sanitation workers. By swiftly cleaning up animal carcasses, they prevent the spread of deadly diseases like rabies, anthrax, and plague, saving not just wildlife but also livestock and people. Yet, in South Asia, their populations have crashed by more than 95% since the 1990s, largely due to the use of the veterinary drug Diclofenac, which is lethal to vultures.
This year, Bhopal became a hub of conservation awareness as Van Vihar National Park & Zoo, in partnership with the Bombay Natural History Society—Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (BNHS–VCBC), hosted IVAD 2025 celebrations on September 6. The celebrations included a lively mix of workshops, competitions, games, and interactive activities.
Workshop On Vulture Conservation For Gaushala Representatives
One of the highlights of the celebration was a special workshop for Gaushala (cow shelter) representatives—critical partners in vulture conservation, as they manage livestock carcasses that vultures depend on.
Dr. Ruhi Haque, Assistant Director, Van Vihar, spoke passionately about vultures as “nature’s free cleaning service,” stressing the need to ban Diclofenac and shift to safe alternatives like Meloxicam and Tolfenamic Acid. Shri Mohammed Khaliq from Bhopal Birds introduced the concept of Vulture Restaurants—safe feeding sites that can boost population recovery. Dr. Sangeeta Rajgeer shared fascinating field observations and tips on identifying different vulture species. Dr. Hamza Nadeem Farooqui explained the science behind safe vs. toxic veterinary drugs, reminding participants how awareness at the grassroots can save thousands of vultures. The workshop not only educated but also empowered Gaushala managers to become conservation allies.
Public Engagement And Awareness Activities
Selfie with Vulture & Oath Awareness Campaign
Tourists and visitors lined up eagerly for this interactive activity. After taking a creative “Selfie with Vulture”, participants stood together to read out a conservation oath, pledging to support efforts that protect vultures and their habitats. This simple yet powerful activity turned into a moment of collective solidarity for conservation.
Wings of Hope – Signature Campaign
Shri Subharanjan Sen, IFS, PCCF (Wildlife), inaugurated the campaign, “One Pledge Can Save a Species.” After taking the oath, visitors, ranging from Gaushala representatives to schoolchildren and tourists, signed the pledge board. Each signature became a symbol of hope, representing an individual’s commitment to safeguarding vultures.
Inter-School Drawing & Painting Competition
Children from schools across Bhopal poured their creativity onto paper, bringing vultures to life through color and imagination. The themes revolved around vultures as protectors of nature, the dangers they face, and their importance in Indian culture. Winners were felicitated by Shri Subha Ranjan Sen, IFS, who reminded the young participants that “the future of wildlife lies in your hands.”
On-the-Spot Quiz Competition
Held at the Snake Park, this activity brought fun and learning together. Tourists and students tested their knowledge about vultures, wildlife, and conservation. Quick rounds and lively interactions made the quiz a crowd-puller, and winners received prizes as a token of appreciation.
Snake And Ladder – Vulture Conservation Edition
A big hit with families and children, this life-sized educational board game turned learning into play. Each climb symbolized conservation actions—like protecting nesting trees or using safe drugs—while each slide reflected threats such as poisoning or habitat loss. The game delivered conservation lessons in a fun, unforgettable way.
The IVAD 2025 celebrations at Van Vihar National Park & Zoo, Bhopal, in collaboration with BNHS–VCBC, showcased how science, creativity, and community can come together for conservation. From Gaushala representatives learning about safe livestock practices to children pledging their love for vultures through art, the event inspired people across age groups and backgrounds. The celebrations served as a reminder that every pledge, every action, and every bit of awareness matters. Vultures may often go unnoticed, but they are indispensable guardians of our ecosystem. Protecting them is not just about saving a bird—it’s about safeguarding the health and balance of nature itself.