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THE sleepy town of Ramanagaram in Karnataka will add a feather to its cap when an unique restaurant is set up by the Karnataka Forest Department in an exclusive sanctuary for the endangered long-billed vulture. The Ramadevara Betta, where the dreaded Gabbar Singh ruled the roost in Hindi film Sholay, would soon become a feeding place for Indian vultures on the verge of extinction. Called the Vulture Restaurant, it is part of the Forest Department’s grand plan to set up an exclusive sanctuary aimed at conserving and fostering vulture population in the State. Sources in the Forest Department said work on the unique eating place for the Indian vultures gathered momentum after a long-billed vulture was spotted at Ramadevara Betta. Since then, wildlife enthusiasts and Forest Department officials had spotted around 150 vultures indicating their return. An area of about 20 sq km around the Ramadevara Betta has been earmarked for the sanctuary. The sanctuary would have a ‘restaurant’ where vultures would feed on carcass of animals free from diclofenac, which is another threat to the birds. "Veterinarians are giving medicines containing diclofenac for livestock in these areas. The chemical, which stays active in the body of the dead animal for a week, is dangerous for vultures which feed on the carcass. "But in this restaurant, special care would be taken as per the directives of the Supreme Court and the Union Ministry of Environment and diclofenac-free carcass would be provided," sources added. The concept, when implemented, would be the second of its kind in the country after an artificial breeding centre in Pinjore, near Haryana. Places around Bangalore, including Ramanagaram, Bannerghatta National Park, Mysore and Bellary were known for these species. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) B Srivastav said, "There is a proposal to declare that area as sanctuary." "Since the recent spotting of the bird, we have taken all measures to protect them and provide suitable habitat for their breeding. Vulture conservation efforts are on in other parts of the state, too." In the last decade, the disappearance of vultures has caused widespread concern and the union government has taken measures to remedy the situation by ordering controls on the use of diclofenac. — UNI
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