MP: CM Dr. Mohan Yadav Releases 5 Vultures of Endangered Species into Bhopal's Halali Dam Wetland
MP Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Monday released five endangered vultures into their natural habitat in the Bhopal's Halali Dam water Wetland. The released birds included four Indian Vultures (Gyps indicus) and one Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus).
The Chief Minister stated that the state government is firmly committed to the conservation of animal and bird species that play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. He stated that while Madhya Pradesh is home to the highest number of tigers, leopards and other wildlife species, it also ranks first in vulture conservation.
CM said the state supports the largest vulture population in India, including migratory species. He congratulated the Forest Department and the local administration for their dedicated efforts toward vulture conservation.
It was informed that the five rare vultures, equipped with high-precision GPS-GSM satellite transmitters, were released after a structured acclimatisation and observation period at the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre in Bhopal. The tagging process was conducted in the presence of representatives from relevant institutions and the Forest Department, under the supervision of wildlife veterinarians from Wildlife SOS.
Initiatives for Vulture and Avian Conservation
This initiative marks a significant step in understanding the evolving “vulture landscape” of Central India. While Indian Vultures generally remain within localised territories, Cinereous Vultures undertake long-distance migrations along the Central Asian Flyway — one of the world’s major migratory bird corridors spanning over 30 countries.
Data-Driven and Landscape-Level Conservation Model
In a major step toward strengthening bird conservation, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has launched a satellite telemetry programme in collaboration with WWF-India and Bombay Natural History Society.
Telemetry data provides critical insights into landscape use by vultures, movement patterns, response to human-induced pressures, identification of key roosting and feeding sites, high-risk zones such as electrocution, poisoning and habitat degradation. The scientific evidence generated through this initiative will help develop more effective threat mitigation strategies and strengthen cross-border conservation cooperation.
Madhya Pradesh has thus established an integrated, data-driven, landscape-level conservation ecosystem through satellite telemetry, ensuring long-term protection of endangered vulture species and reinforcing their role as indicators of environmental health.
Notably, on the first day of Vulture Estimation–2026, more than 1,000 vultures were observed in the South Panna Forest Division, the highest count recorded in recent years.