Lucknow, May 17 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh forest department has ordered a high-level probe into the death of 25 vultures.
Dudhwa forest buffer zone last month reportedly due to poisoning by a pesticide.
The principal chief conservator of forests, Uttar Pradesh has ordered a high-level field investigation by a two-member team of senior forest officials, including Sanjay Pathak (presently posted at NTCA) and DPO Bahraich, Sundaresh.
Recent Lab reports from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute 9 (IVRI), Bareilly, confirmed that the 25 vultures died in the area surrounding the Dudhwa National Park from poisoning by "carbofuran", a highly toxic pesticide commonly known by the brand name "Furadan".
Initial investigations pointed to the vultures dying after nibbling at the carcasses of the stray dogs.
Recovery of some poisonous cooked rice from the spot indicated that the dogs died after consuming the rice and the vultures died due to secondary poisoning after consuming the dogs' carcasses.
The lab examination report, analysed the viscera of vultures and dogs.
A senior forest official of Dudhwa said that a highly toxic pesticide 'Carbofuran' in the carcasses and food samples collected from the site.
Now the department will carry out an awareness programme among the villagers to apprise them about the lethal impacts of such highly toxic pesticides on human health, wildlife and also on the crops. Other required proceedings in the matter would also be ensured.
The incident occurred on April 7 in an agricultural field in Semrai village, which falls under the Bhira forest range of the Dudhwa buffer zone. While 25 vultures died, five unconscious vultures were successfully treated and released back into the wild once they were fit to fly.
Being an endangered bird species of environmental significance and categorised under Schedule One wild species of the Wildlife Protection Act, the mass deaths of vultures left forest authorities perturbed.
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