Nepal raises vulture awareness with a diclofenac destruction event

A diclofenac destruction programme was undertaken at the Vulture Safe Zone in Nawalparasi District of Nepal on 31st March 2010, that was organised by Bird Conservation Nepal (BirdLife Partner) and Jatayu safe zone management committee. The main objective of the programme was to destroy diclofenac and promote the use of the safe alternative drug meloxicam.

Diclofenac was collected during 2005 and 2006 from different parts of Nepal with support of Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative. A total of over 1,500 vials of of injectable diclofenac and 13,000 bolus/tablets were destroyed in a traditional Nepalese “chulo” or cooking stove. The destruction process followed the recommendations of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and will have minimal impact on environment.

The program was marked by the presence of high profile dignitaries representing various veterinary and conservation groups in Nepal, including Chief guest Radha Raman Prasad Nepal’s Chief Drug Administrator; Department of Drug Administration, Dr. Narayan Prasad Ghimire; Registar Nepal Veterinary Council, Vice President of Nepal Veterinary Association, Senior Veterinary Officer Directorate of Animal Health Dr. Poormina Manandhar Chief of Veterinary Standard and Drug Administration Office, Dr. Narayan Basel Senior Veterinary Officer Department of Livestock Services Dr. Surendra Karki, Central member of Nepal Veterinary Association Dr. Narendra man Babu Pradhan Chief Conservation Officer Chitwan National Park Purna bahadur Budha member secretary of Nepal Paraveterinary and Livestock Association, Dr. Hum Gurung Chief Executive Officer of BCN. The overall program was run by Tila Devi Bhusal. Other attendees includes a large number of influential people from diverse fields including conservationists, government agencies, veterinary doctors, media persons and local groups. The program was marked with great enthusiasm from all the people and received wide media coverage in Nepal. A solo photo exhibition on vultures was also shown by Krishna Mani Baral was also conducted.