By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Sept. 16:The number of vultures has increased by 21 per cent in 2021 as compared to 2019.
A total of 2,312 vultures were counted across all sites. A passage migrant Griffon Vulture (GV) and vagrant Indian Vulture (IV) was not assessed during the survey. Seven of nine vulture species known to exist in Nepal were sighted during the count, according to Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN).

The BCN initiated an annual “Vulture Count” 2021 throughout the country from the International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) on September 4, 2021.
Vultures are a charismatic and an ecologically vital group of birds that face a range of threats. Populations of many species are under pressure and some species are facing extinction. With an aim to generate awareness of the threats that vultures are currently facing and promote concerted actions to support and conserve these iconic species, IVAD is celebrated on first Saturday in September each year, said a press statement of the BCN.

This year 13th IVAD was celebrated by carrying out different activities, highlighting vulture conservation and awareness. The week-long programmes primarily focused on spread of awareness and advocacy amongst the wider communities and influencing stakeholders and agencies in positioning the vulture range districts as the Vulture Safe Zone.
The count provides the baseline database of vulture population based on a single day monitoring in the same time interval throughout the country. Surveys were conducted by volunteers from local conservation groups, NGOs and communities.
The vultures were counted in all known roosting, foraging and breeding sites in 38 districts covering all three geographic regions -- the Himalayas, Mid-hills and Terai (lowlands) of the country.