Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Center established with the efforts of Yogi Government, will prove

The number of vultures is continuously decreasing not only in Uttar Pradesh but in the entire country. In the last three decades, the number of vultures in the country has come down from 4 crores to 4 lakhs. In this too, the count of the rare species of red-headed king vulture is now limited to fingers. In view of the decreasing number of vultures, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Hon'ble Yogi Adityanath ji laid the foundation stone of 'Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Center' in Campierganj Range of Gorakhpur on 7 October 2020. Today, on 6 September 2024 , this center built at a cost of Rs 15 crore was inaugurated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji. This is the first conservation center of red-headed vulture not only in India but in the whole world. The crisis on the existence of the king vulture species is deepening due to environmental challenges. Asian king vultures are in danger due to the destruction of habitats and excessive use of diclofenac drug in domestic animals. This drug is poisonous for vultures. A research has revealed that only 174 red vultures have been found in eight districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh . These include 132 red vultures aged above five years and 42 red vultures aged between one and one and a quarter years . Five king vultures were found in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh , one in Jhansi and three in Lalitpur.