Birders want vulture breeding centre at Ramanagara, not Bannerghatta

Mysuru: The forest department has decided to set up a vulture breeding centre in Bannerghatta National Park, Bengaluru to protect and develop the population of the critically endangered vultures of Ramanagara. However, volunteers of various wildlife organisations involved in the protection of vultures want a centre to be set up in Ramanagara and have urged forest authorities to reconsider their decision.
The forest department initiating to save and increase the population of Long-Billed Vulture and Egyptian Vultures - of Ramadevara Betta Vulture Sanctuary prepared a management plan based on the opinion by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) deputy director Vibhu Prakash, who had visited Ramanagara to study and locate ideal vulture breeding and release sites.
Members of Karnataka Vulture Conservation Trust, Ramanagara claimed that Vibhu Prakash had recognised two separate sites, Chikkamannugudda for setting the breeding centre and Ramadevara Betta Vulture Sanctuary as a vulture release centre. The plan was prepared accordingly for the respective centres to be established at the mentioned sites which are in ideal proximity within Ramanagara District.
However, the forest department has recently decided to set up the breeding centre at Bannerghatta National Park and the Vulture ‘restaurant’ (feeding place) remains Ramadevara Betta.
“Bannerghatta is not a suitable place for the breeding centre as it does not fulfil the prerequisites of a breeding centre as mentioned in the manual published by the Central Zoo Authority,” trust secretary Shashikumar B told TOI.
The volunteers claim as Chikkamannugudde is ideally close to Ramadevara Betta, it is ideal for conservation of vultures. The breeding centre is not preferable near zoological parks comprising various indigenous and exotic animals which exposes them to diseases. The centre should be at least 25 km away from a zoo for a safe conservation breeding programme, they said.
Ramanagara sub-division assistant conservator of forests (ACF) M Ramakrishnappa told TOI that plans are afoot to set up the breeding centre in Bannerghatta National Park. “The members of vulture conservation trust want the breeding centre to be set up in Ramanagar district. A decision will be taken by department high-ups,” he said.