Vultures back, hanguls vanish

In Delhi's biggest landfill, Ghazipur, this writer saw five juvenile white-backed vultures a few days ago. The birds have not been spotted for a long time despite the fact that slaughterhouse waste is routinely dumped here.

Here's a story of amazing gains and sad losses.

In Delhi's biggest landfill, Ghazipur, this writer saw five juvenile white-backed vultures a few days ago. The birds have not been spotted for a long time despite the fact that slaughterhouse waste is routinely dumped here.

These vultures were on the verge of extinction in Delhi, so seeing the juveniles suggests they are not only back, but are also breeding. Still, one should worry about the various toxins they are feeding upon.

And now about the loss that is occurring in Kashmir. Reports suggest that the endangered Hangul, or the red deer found only in Dachigam National Park in Kashmir, is on the verge of extinction. 10 years ago, there were 5,000 Hangul, but now there are only 195, a drop of about 96 per cent.

This news has not hit the headlines perhaps because the deer is not a glamorous animal. It is a unique species and part of our bio-diversity heritage. Reasons for its decline include forestlands being used as grazing pastures and an increase in the leopard population. Plus, we have VIP pleasure safaris disturbing the animals.

One can't say the authorities aren't trying. While there is a ban on hunting the Hangul, they are experimenting with captive breeding. Will it work? Unless there is political will, it's unlikely.

Firemen in danger

Here's a news item so under-reported that most people would never have read it at all. A fire last week in a PVC plastic factory in north-west Delhi. Not many people know that PVC fires are deadly. They spread large amounts of the killer dioxin. They also severely impact the long-term health of firemen who go in to douse the fire — the staff of 29 fire engines in this case.

Dioxins cause cancer, affect the reproductive and immune system, apart from a host of other problems. In PVC-linked fires all over the world, it is always the firemen who are in the most danger and are constantly under medical supervision.

In Delhi, the fire service department is quiet, perhaps not realizing the danger. What they can ask for, however, is for a phase out of PVC. It is prone to catch fire and toxic. After all, even firemen have human rights.

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