What is a Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ)?

The concept of a VSZ is unique for the Asian continent but similar VSZ are in operation in both Europe and Africa. The main aim of this project is to provide safe food for critically endangered vultures managed by the local communities.

For the followers of the Hindu religion, cows are sacred animals, killing a cow is punishable by law in Nepal. Thus, when cattle become old and unproductive, they are often a burden to farmers. At the Cow Rescue Centre, cows are collected collected and cared for until they die a natural death. Dead cattle are placed at a designated place for vultures to feed. A viewing house (hide) is strategically placed to observe the vultures while they feed without disturbing them. Visitors enjoy seeing the incredible sight of vultures feeding as well as seeing more varieties of vultures and other birds of prey in the vicinity.

The Visitors Centre provides information to visitors on diverse aspects of these majestic creatures and the conservation efforts carried out to safeguard them. In addition to this, the centre will feature information on other birds, mammals and the natural history of the area. Any income generated will be used to manage the VSZ, Visitors Centre and activities that support the livelihood of the local communities.

Why do we need VSZ's?

Five species of vultures are in grave danger of extinction across the Indian sub-continent; four have been listed as critically endangered and one as endangered by the IUCN in 2007. All of these species have declined by over 90% in the last decade. Four of the five species are found in Nepal, the cause of the decline has been identified as the veterinary drug Diclofenac, which was widely used to treat livestock across Asia. Vultures are exposed to Diclofenac when they feed on livestock carcasses with residues of this drug.

VSZ's provide:

• A safe source of food that is free of contamination from veterinary drugs, poisons and other agricultural chemicals.
• A place where vultures can feed free from human disturbances.
• Supplement the ever decreasing food base for vultures.
• Extra food close to breeding colonies, this helps to increase their breeding success by improving the survival chances of the young vultures.
• Additional food, such as bone fragments, which can be supplied to breeding birds.
• An economical and practical way of disposing of old and unproductive cattle.
• Help to reduce the risk of spread of deceases.
• A place for scientists to study the biology and ecology of these threatened species.
• An opportunity to raise public awareness on vulture conservation and to raise funds.
• An excellent opportunity for eco-tourists to observe these magnificent birds.

What else is being done to conserve vultures?

• Diclofenac free zones’ (DFZ) are being declared. These are areas that are being declared as free of Diclofenac jointly by government agencies, conservation organisations, veterinary communities and local communities. VSZ's are an important component of DFZs.
• The veterinary drug Diclofenac has been banned by both Nepalese and Indian governments.
• Meloxicam, a safe alternative for vultures and other scavenging birds, is being promoted as an effective replacement for veterinary Diclofenac. It is currently widely available in Nepal. The use of both these drugs is being monitored throughout Nepal.
• Studies of population trends, colonies and the breeding success of all species of vultures in Nepal are being carried out.
• Sites in Kailali, Dang, Palpa and West Nawalparasi also provide safe food for vultures in addition to the Vulture Restaurant sites.
• A VSZ is in the process of being set up in Pokhara and similar restaurants are being planned in India and Pakistan.
• In Nepal, India and Pakistan, captive breeding centres have been established to secure healthy birds from the wild for breeding in captivity for purposes of conservation and future release.
• Awareness raising activities targeting various groups such as veterinarians, pharmacists, school children, government agencies, conservation partners and local communities are being organised regularly.
• Increasing numbers of partners are being brought under the fold for vulture conservation daily. Site Support Groups (SSGs) are being strengthened to continue conservation of vultures and other biodiversity.
• Vulture Conservation Action Plans for Nepal 2009 - 2013 has been prepared.

Where in Nepal are the VSZ's located?

Nawalparasi: It lies in two VDCs in (Pithouli and Kawasoti) of Nawalparasi district, adjacent to the bufferzone of Chitwan national park. Chitwan National park has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, includes a Ramsa Site-Bees Hazari Tal and has been identified as an important bird area (IBA ) by Birdlife International.

The VSZ Pithauli is only four km south from highway town Kawasoti in Nawalparasi district. Tel +977 78691568
What facilities are available? If you want to live with local communities, home stay facilities and simple restaurants are available in the quaint village where the VSZ in Nawalparasi is located. Hotels are also available close by. You should also take advantage of the trained guides that are available for nature walks and cultural tours of Chitwan National Park and the nearby villages.

Lumbini, Rupandihi: It lies close to Gadiahwa lake, in Rupandihi district near to the Lumbini farmland IBA and 5 km north of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is located inside Gaidatal community forest of Bishnupura VDC. Tel: +977 71622017.

The Lalmatiya, Dang: It is situated in Kilika community forest, Lalmatiya VDC of Dang district adjacent to Dang Deukhuri Forest IBA. The restaurant lies very close to the towns of Bhalubang and Lamahi and is located along the east west highway. Tel +977 82540206.

What are the priorities for these VSZ projects?

• To conserve the critically endangered species of vultures.
• To run VSZ's and a Visitors Centre under the management of local communities with technical supervision from Bird Conservation Nepal.
• To promote domestic and international eco-tourism, (The VSZ in Nawalparasi is the first community managed project of it's kind in the world)
• To improve the livelihood of the local communities through proper management of income from tourism and by-products from the VSZ.
• Increase capacity building of local people and their engagement in vulture conservation at grassroots level.
• To establish Site Support Groups (SSGs) for long term monitoring and conservation of vultures and other biodiversity in these areas.

Bird Conservation Nepal:

Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) is the oldest civil society organisation dedicated to the interests of ornithologists, bird watchers and conservationists in Nepal. BCN is a membership based organisation with a founding president, patrons, life-members and a growing membership.

BCN are committed to showing the value of birds and their special relationship with people. As such we strongly advocate the need for people’s participation as future stewards to attain long term conservation goals. BCN is dedicated to conserving birds, their habitats and overall biodiversity through people’s participation, benefiting the people themselves.