Centre prohibits production, distribution of two drugs toxic for vultures

  • August 3, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
No Comments

 

 

Centre prohibits production, distribution of two drugs toxic for vultures

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Why in news?

Govt has passed orders to stop veterinary use of aceclofenac and ketoprofen and its formulations

Details:

These are two of three “vulture-toxic” drugs that conservationists have been seeking a ban on. The third drug is nimesulide.

About 16 years ago, India had banned the veterinary use of diclofenac, as it was found to be toxic for vultures. But more recently, conservationists had approached the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on the other three drugs as well, to take it up with the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). A public interest litigation was also filed on the issue in the Delhi High Court.

Why ban?

A recently published study by IVRI and collaborators had said that aceclofenac metabolised into diclofenac in water buffaloes, as it did in cows, threatening the already critically endangered Gyps vultures in South Asia. They had recommended the immediate ban on the veterinary use of aceclofenac across vulture range countries.

More research is being undertaken to establish safer alternatives and establish nimesulide’s toxicity as well.

Concept:

  • The researchers gave the recommended dose of aceclofenac to nine domestic water buffaloes. They collected blood samples at intervals of up to 48 hours.
  • And carried out an analysis of aceclofenac and its metabolite diclofenac in their plasma.
  • It found that aceclofenac was rapidly converted to diclofenac in the water buffaloes too.
  • Diclofenac was present in the plasma within 20 minutes of the treatment.
  • The concentration reached its peak between four and eight hours.
  • Allowing the use of aceclofenac was a very unfortunate loophole in India’s vulture conservation according to press release of SAVE.

Background

  • Aceclofenac is a pro-drug of diclofenac and behaves similarly in domestic water buffalo as it does in domestic cattle, posing the same risk to vultures.
  • It is one among the three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) drugs—aeclofenac, ketoprofen and nimesulide—were introduced as alternatives to diclofenac, that India banned in 2006 for animal use because it caused widespread vulture deaths.
  • However, India’s vulture conservation action plan for 2020-25 recommends a ban on the veterinary use of the three drugs.

Diclofenac

  • Diclofenac, a drug used to treat cattle, was linked to kidney failure in vultures and a decline in the bird’s population.
  • Though the drug was banned in 2006, it is reportedly still available for use.
  • Diclofenac, that is potentially toxic to vultures being used by vets for treating cattle. The drugs make their way into the vulture’s system as they feed on carcasses.
  • Three of India’s vulture species of the genus ‘Gyps’— the long-billed (Gyps indicus) and the slender-billed (G. tenuirostris) had declined by 97%, while in the white-rumped (G. bengalensis) declined nearly 99% between 1992 and 2007.

Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025

  • It proposes to establish Vulture Conservation Breeding Centers in Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
  • There would also be a conservation breeding programme for the Red Headed vulture and Egyptian vulture, and at least one “Vulture Safe Zone” in every State for the conservation of the remnant populations.
  • There would be four rescue centers in different geographical areas:
    • Pinjore in north India,
    • Bhopal in central India,
    • Guwahati in northeast India and
    • Hyderabad in south India,
  • There will also be regular surveys to track population numbers, the plan envisages.
  • Also, the vulture action plan recommends meloxicam over diclofenac and Tolfenamic acid is the other safe option.

SAVE (Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction)

  • The consortium of like-minded, regional and international organizations, created to oversee and coordinate conservation, campaigning and fundraising activities to help the plight of south Asia’s vultures.
  • Objective: To save three critically important species from extinction through a single programme.
  • SAVE partners: Bombay Natural History Society, Bird Conservation Nepal, RSPB (UK), National Trust for Nature Conservation (Nepal), International Centre for Birds of Prey (UK) and Zoological Society of London.

Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI)

  • It was established in 1889 at Bareilly, UP.
  • IVRI is one of the premier research institutions dedicated to livestock research and development of the region.

Vulture

  • It is one of the 22 species of large carrion-eating birds that live predominantly in the tropics and subtropics.
  • They act an important function as nature’s garbage collectors and help to keep the environment clean of waste.
  • these scavengers do the dirty work of cleaning up after death helping to keep ecosystems healthy and prevent the spread of disease
  • Vultures also play a valuable role in keeping wildlife diseases in check.
  • India is home to 9 species of Vulture namely the Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and the Eurasian Griffon.
    • Most of these 9 species face danger of extinction.
  • Bearded, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Oriental white-backed are protected in the Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Rest are protected under ‘Schedule IV’.

Centre prohibits production Environment