Chhindwara, February 24, 2026: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Monday released five endangered vultures into their natural habitat at the Halali Dam wetland. The release included four Indian Vultures (Gyps indicus) and one Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus). Highlighting the state government’s commitment to wildlife conservation, Dr. Mohan Yadav noted that Madhya Pradesh not only hosts the largest populations of tigers, leopards, and other wildlife species but also leads the nation in vulture conservation. He congratulated the Forest Department and local authorities for their dedicated efforts toward protecting these crucial scavenger species.
The vultures were equipped with GPS-GSM satellite transmitters and were released after undergoing a structured acclimatization and observation period at the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre in Bhopal. The tagging and release process was supervised by wildlife veterinarians from Wildlife SOS and conducted in collaboration with relevant institutional representatives.
Also read ; Governor Mangubhai Patel Calls for Humane and Holistic Prisoner Rehabilitation in Madhya Pradesh
Data-Driven Conservation for Vultures
This initiative marks a significant step in understanding vulture ecology in Central India, particularly the movement of migratory species like the Cinereous Vulture along the Central Asian Flyway, spanning over 30 countries. The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, in partnership with WWF-India and the Bombay Natural History Society, has launched a satellite telemetry programme to monitor:
- Vulture movement patterns and landscape use
- Responses to human-induced threats
- Key roosting and feeding sites
- High-risk zones including electrocution, poisoning, and habitat degradation
The data-driven, landscape-level approach will enable the development of effective threat mitigation strategies and enhance cross-border conservation efforts.
हमारी सरकार पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र के सहयोगी पशु-पक्षियों के संरक्षण के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है…
आज रायसेन जिले के हलाली डैम क्षेत्र में दुर्लभ प्रजाति के 5 गिद्धों को स्वच्छंद वातावरण में मुक्त किया। विभिन्न नवाचारों और प्रयासों से प्रदेश के जंगल, वन्यजीव और पक्षी आबाद हो रहे हैं।… pic.twitter.com/nkllVhT3da
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) February 23, 2026
Ecological and Cultural Significance
Vultures play a vital ecological role as nature’s sanitation workers, preventing disease spread and maintaining environmental balance. In Indian tradition, they symbolize strength and sacrifice, as illustrated by the Ramayana’s tales of Jatayu and Sampati. Madhya Pradesh is home to diverse vulture species, including the Indian Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, and Himalayan Griffon.
During the first day of Vulture Estimation–2026, more than 1,000 vultures were recorded in the South Panna Forest Division, marking the highest count in recent years.
The event was attended by Senior MLA Dr. Prabhuram Choudhary, District Panchayat representative Shri Yashwant Meena, Shri Rakesh Sharma, Smt. Rajo Malviya, and other dignitaries. The programme was coordinated by Shri Kamlesh Bahadur Singh.
This initiative strengthens Madhya Pradesh’s position as a national leader in vulture conservation while promoting ecological awareness and sustainable wildlife management.