Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the conservation and promotion of nature is the responsibility of every individual. He said that deforestation has led to a shortage of shelter for animals and birds, urging every citizen to commit to planting as many trees as possible and contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
The Chief Minister highlighted that every living being, whether in the sky, water, or on land, plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature. He also praised Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi for his efforts in conserving endangered species. In line with these efforts, the state government has given special attention to the protection of the endangered vulture species.
To support this initiative, a Jatayu conservation and breeding center was established in Pinjore. Currently, the center is home to 378 vultures. The Chief Minister was speaking at a function organized on the occasion of releasing 25 vultures at the Jatayu Conservation Center near Beed Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary in Pinjore, Panchkula today. Environment, Forests and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Kalka MLA Smt. Shakti Rani Sharma were also present on this occasion. Sh Nayab Singh Saini stated that in the 1990s, the vulture population was in the crores, but it gradually decreased to lakhs.
The primary cause of this decline was the use of diclofenac injections in dairy animals. When vultures consumed the carcasses of these animals, the residual effects of the drug began to harm the vultures, pushing the species to the brink of extinction.
He said that for vulture conservation, the Bombay Natural History Society entered into an agreement with the Haryana government and took on the mission of increasing the vulture population in Pinjore, Haryana, through both natural and artificial breeding methods. Today, this center is not only the largest of its kind in the country but also in Asia.
The center houses 97 white-backed vultures, 219 long-beaked vultures, and 62 thin-beaked vultures. As of November 2024, a total of 404 chicks from these species have been born at the center. Today, 25 white-backed vultures were released into the open sky. The center is equipped with 8 nursery aviaries, 6 colony aviaries, 8 holding aviaries, 2 display aviaries, 4 hospital aviaries, 8 breeding aviaries, 1 green aviary, and 1 release aviary, from which 25 vultures were released.
The Chief Minister praised the efforts of the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Center team, urging them to extend their conservation work to Goriya sparrows as well. He assured that the government would provide full support for this initiative. He also mentioned that a Pakshi Niwas had been inaugurated on Monday at the Mata Mansa Devi Complex.
During the event, a short film showcasing the Pinjore Vulture Reserve and the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Center was also screened. In the program, Mr. Anand Mohan Sharan, Additional Chief Secretary of the Environment, Forests and Wildlife Department, welcomed all the guests, including the Chief Minister, and highlighted the ongoing activities of the department.