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Source: The post is based on the article “Gamechanger for India’s vultures: Experts laud Centre’s move to ban aceclofenac, ketoprofen” published in Down To Earth on 3rd August 2023.
What is the News?
Experts who work on vultures have welcomed the Centre’s decision to prohibit for animal use the manufacture, sale and distribution of ketoprofen and aceclofenac. They said this move would be a gamechanger for India’s vultures.
What are Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac?
Ketoprofen and aceclofenac are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) commonly used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and manage various conditions.
Why has Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac been banned?
Ketoprofen and aceclofenac have been banned as they are harmful to cattle and can kill vultures too if they eat the carcasses of the animals that were administered with these two drugs.
What are the other steps taken for Vulture conservation?
During 1980’s,India had around 4 crore vultures and by the late 1990s, the vulture population started declining.
In 2004, it was found that diclofenac was the cause of vulture deaths and that 97% of the population had been lost till then.
That same year,, the Indian government along with other agencies came up with a Vulture Recovery Plan which recommended banning the veterinary use of diclofenac, finding its substitute and setting up conservation breeding centers for vultures.
In 2006 the Vulture Recovery Plan was incorporated into the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2006.
The use of diclofenac as a veterinary drug was banned in 2006.The Centre also restricted the vial size of diclofenac for human use to just three milliliters after it was found that people were using diclofenac meant for humans in cattle.
