This story is from January 18, 2020

Karnataka's Ramanagara to host south India's second vulture breeding centre

Ramadevara Betta region was declared the country's first vulture sanctuary in 2012.
Karnataka's Ramanagara to host south India's second vulture breeding centre
Ramadevara Betta region was declared the country's first vulture sanctuary in 2012.
To conserve and revive the fast-dwindling population of rare long-billed vultures, the state forest department is all set to have a dedicated vulture breeding centre at the foothills of the scenic Ramadevara Betta in Ramanagara taluk, about 50km from Bengaluru. The centre will be the second such facility in South India after the one in Hyderabad.
Ramadevara Betta region was declared the country's first vulture sanctuary in 2012.
As per the latest count, the sanctuary spread over 346 hectares hosts only five long-billed vultures, considered critically endangered globally. The breeding centre is expected to save the species from going extinct in the region.
On the sidelines of the inaugural of Karnataka Bird Festival, Sanjay Mohan, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), told TOI the facility would come up at a cost of Rs 1.3 crore for which central government approvals came recently. "We will be getting vulture eggs from Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre in Haryana. Before being released into their habitat, the hatchlings will be nurtured for two to three years," he added.
Protection zone for GIBs
The forest department is set to declare about 1,200 acres of forest area in Siruguppa of Ballari district as protection zone for the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), another bird on the verge of extinction.
Mohan said there are about eight GIBs in the region and the department will be restricting certain activities there to ensure protection to the bird habitat.
Sixth bird festival kicks off
The sixth edition of Karnataka Bird Festival kicked off at the foot of Nandi Hills on Friday. It aims to sensitise the public about bird diversity and conservation. This year's edition has a special focus on conserving vultures.

Inaugurating the festival, forest minister CC Patil said Karnataka is home to 550 of the 1,350 bird species in the country. Chikkaballapura MLA K Sudhakar said Nandi Hills range is home to 200 varieties of birds and listed among major bird habitats in India.
Vijay Mohan said Nandi Hills is also home to the yellow-throated bulbul, an endangered species. "Nilgiri wood pigeon, found in the Western Ghats, has made Nandi Hills its home and this highlights the ecological importance of this hilly region," he added.
The three-day festival has sessions on bird diversity, conservation and challenges. Participants can go for bird-watching tours in and around Nandi Hills.
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