Promoting Ethno-Veterinary Practices in Vulture Safe Zones
Arulagam is leading the effort to create Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs) across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. These zones are critical for the survival of vultures, as these majestic birds face extinction due to ingestion of harmful veterinary drugs like diclofenac, ketoprofen, aceclofenac, and nimesulide.
On December 15, 2024, Arulagam, in collaboration with the Thalavadi Farmers Foundation, Kumaraguru Institutions, and SEVA, organized an Ethno veterinary health camp and awareness program in Neithalapuram village of Thalavadi Block, Erode district. 77 cattle owners benefited from the camp with the support of Fondation Segre.
Arulagam handed over a veterinary first aid kit to Mr. Ravichandran, president of Neithalapuram village, empowering the community to provide immediate care to their livestock. Herbal medicine packs were distributed to cattle owners, promoting natural and sustainable healthcare practices. A veterinary kiosk was proposed to promote virtual veterinary services in the remote region.
Moreover, recent days have seen an increase in vulture sightings throughout the Thalamalai and Thalavadi landscape.
Dr. Palani (Farm Consultant) and Dr. Shanmugam (Veterinary dispensary Unit, Thalamalai) treated the cattle. Mr. Vasudevan administered deworming medicine to 30 cattle and provided semen injections to 3 cattle. Ms. Sangeetha and Ms. Udhiyakumari from SEVA, Madurai, conducted sessions on preparing home remedies and taking precautionary measures. Ms. Sundhari, a biologist, highlighted the dangers of diclofenac, a harmful NSAID drug, to vulture populations. Mr. Kanniyan, president of the Thalavadi Farmers Foundation, welcomed participants and outlined the program's objectives. Mr. Jabez John, the Field Coordinator, organized the cattle owners.
The awareness session was well-received, and villagers promised to adopt ethno-veterinary practices in the future. We strongly believe that reducing the demand for vulture-unsafe drugs will pave the way to creating Vulture Safe Zones
