VulturesCastesAndOutcasteWaterMark_sAnUmAn4b9c7bad6a4e4

8/13/2019 VulturesCastesAndOutcasteWaterMark_sAnUmAn4b9c7bad6a4e4

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vulturescastesandoutcastewatermarksanuman4b9c7bad6a4e4 1/4



religiosa) (20% of sightings) for rest and roosting. In2001, Lumbini had 6 vulture nests on simal trees,with a low breeding success (0.33 chicks/nest) (Baral,2004). Now, there are no such simal trees. The raresttree species in the area were simal and sal ( Shorea

robusta) which are the preferred tree species byvultures. Wherever there were simal trees, tree-fellings were observed as a raw material for plywoodmanufacturing. A widespread cutting and logging ofsimal trees occurred some 5 years ago which forcedthe local government to ban tree-felling. A majorityof households had mango (72. 5%) and sisso trees(Dalbergia sissoo) (66.9%) in their farms because of theircash value. Although literatures clearly indicate thatthe reason for vulture decline is due to diclofenac, mystudy suggests that habitat degradation has playedan equal role in the decline of vultures.

All diseased and sick cattle that were once productiveto households had a very high probability of beinginjected with diclofenac, a non-steroid anti-

Figure 1. IUCN Categories of Red Data Book and listing of Vulture species found in Nepal.

White-rumped Pakistan, Nepal, India & Bangladesh Resident Critically EndangeredSlender-billed Nepal, India and Bangladesh Resident Critically EndangeredRed-headed Nepal and India Resident Critically EndangeredEgyptian Pakistan, Nepal and India Resident EndangeredHimalayan griffon Pakistan, Nepal and India Resident Least ConcernLammergeier Pakistan, Nepal and India Resident Least ConcernCinereous vulture Pakistan, Nepal and India Winter visitor Near ThreatenedEurasian griffon Pakistan, Nepal and India Winter visitor Least Concern

Species Distribution Status Protection Measures

Table 1. Vulture species diversity and their status in Nepal.

Season Cinereous Egyptian Eurasian Himalayan Slender billed* White-rumped* Breeding 17 25 7 28 2 22 Non-breeding 0 41 0 3 0 55

Table 2. Percent vulture sightings in two different seasons (N= 89) (*indicate resident species) in Lumbini.

inflammatory drug which were readily available inand around villages and towns all across Nepal’s Terai(lowland). A majority of agro-vet shops have diclofenacsodium derivatives on sale. Many veterinarypractitioners had not heard about meloxicam, the new

alternative drug at the time of investigation. Eventhough all the veterinary practitioners surveyed, wereaware of the vulture decline in their areas, they hadnot realized that the decline was due to the use ofdiclofenac. All village-level veterinary practitionersand farmers were aware of the decline of vultures andthey relate it to habitat degradation. They argued thatthe cutting of simal trees had been the main cause ofvulture decline. Though they had no prior informationon the ill effects of diclofenac, meloxicam in a few shopswas noticed later.

Without the complete removal of diclofenac, it is almost

certain that vulture populations continues to declineand at least three species of Gyps vulture will becomeextinct in the wild (GON, 2009). Thus, the Department



of Drug Administration enforced a ban on themanufacture and import of diclofenac in Nepal in June, 2006. Despite the availability of meloxicam asan alternative, enough evidences exist on continueduse of diclofenac. The Vulture Conservation ActionPlan for Nepal 2003 - 2009 suggests that as long as

the human use of diclofenac continues, the possibilityof use of diclofenac in cattle is high. For example, theKathmandu Post (Jan 28, 2010) reported that manymedical shops (pharmacies) are illegal in KapilvastuDistrict as there are 150 medical shops withoutgovernment license. Among them, half a dozen aresituated at the district headquarters, who sellsubstandard medicine from India. Also the KantipurDaily (vernacular) reported that the National HealthLine, a pharmaceutical company in Birgunj, centralNepal has been producing diclofenac, until now.

THE MISSING LINK

Vultures and the outcaste (untouchables) are closelylinked as carcasses are handled by the Sarkis in thehills and in Terai by the Chamaras. Availabledescription on untouchability as a dynamic reality,is often inadequate to capture the full experience andphenomenon of untouchability (Guru, 2009). Literaryreferences hardly have described what theuntouchables are expected to do when animal die invillages. Valmiki (2003) focuses on the grittymateriality of this wretched job performed by theChamars under duress and without payment. It istheir duty prescribed by their caste to remove the

carcass away from villages as soon as possible. Theycut up the carcass to skin the hide. The hide is saltedand cured over the next several days and sold in themarket at very nominal price. The smell of the bonemarket, the skinning and curing of hides, the wayanimals are disposed of in the village, are seldomdiscussed in literature (Valmiki, 2003). The need toremain socially superior by higher caste has led thepolitics of converting the untouchables to “walkingcarrion,” a degraded entity filled with a deep sense ofrepulsion produced by the politics of castepreservation (Naipaul, 1988). However, theirsuffering has enabled vultures to survive in south

Asia through the ages because they fed them withcarrion. Theories on “selfish gene” suggest that allspecies that exist today, have evolved to be efficientforager because they struggled at each generation toincrease their individual fitness (Dawkins, 1976). Inthis regard, one cannot think of vulture survival anddiversity in south Asia, without the Chamars andthe Sarkis. Thus, they are the sole custodians ofvultures.

HOW UNTOUCHABILITY STARTED?

The untouchables are, inhumanely manipulated

product of India’s 3,500 year old caste system, whonumber over 165 million now. The earliest Hinduliterary source in India, dating back to around 1,000

BC, describes how human stratification came aboutfrom a cosmic giant, Purusha who sacrificed parts ofhis body to create mankind (Jadhav, 2003). His mouth became the Brahmins (Bahun), the priestly class; hisarms the Kshatriya (Chhetris), the warriors andlandowners; his thighs were made into Vaishya, the

merchants; and from his feet were born Shudra, theservants. This four-fold division of Hindu society iscalled the four Varnas (Chaaturvarna). Theuntouchables who are referred now as Dalits (aninclusive Indian term) have no place in theChaaturvarna (Jadhav, 2003). In this system of gradedinequality, the Dalits were considered so inferior thattheir mere touch was supposed to pollute others. Theoutcaste were burdened with demeaning tasks only because of perceived misdeeds in their past lives.

FROM INDIA INTO NEPAL

The Hindu caste groups in Nepal, whether from thehills or the Terai, are migrants from India (Sharma,2008). Over the years, the hill Brahmins and Chhetris became the flag bearers of Nepal’s nationalism. Thus,the erstwhile Hindu Kingdom of Nepal, based onantiquated perceptions of purity and pollution ofcastes, has ostracized and deprived the Dalits from ofevery social, political, religious, and economicplacement and opportunities (Sharma, 2008).Although such customary law was abolished back in1963, social abuse and discrimination still, arewidespread (Premashi, 2006). There are 5 Dalit groups(population: 1,615,577; 7.11% of country population)

in the Hills and 12 Dalit groups (population: 1,113,929;4.9%). Lately, various INGOs and NGOs havesupported Dalit for their rights as citizens throughadvocacy activities and capacity building in education,economic and other sectors. However, all these havecreated two schools of mindset within the Dalits ascitizens (Dahal, 2004). The first school preferthemselves to be called as Dalits (a generic Indian term)and not be recognized by their occupational castes.Others consider themselves in adapt, and show overtdependency.

FEEDING VULTURES, NOW

Vulture restaurants started first in the PunjabProvince of Pakistan (Gilbert et al., 2003) to providedead cattle as safe food which are free from veterinarydrugs, particularly diclofenac. Since 2006, Nepal hassix successful vulture restaurants. Each restaurantpurchases old cattle from nearby settlements that areno longer fit to work and kept there until their death.As the carcasses are diclofenac-free, vultures canconsume them as safe food. As these feeding sites alsoavail food to breeding vulture colonies, young survivalis enhanced and the feeding management regime mayoffer an economic and practical way for disposing of

old and unproductive cattle. In addition, these artificialfeeding sites have raised public awareness. All vulturerestaurants in Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Dang (2 sites),



Securing Nature through “Good Science” and “Knowledge-based decisions” since 1986Securing Nature through “Good Science” and “Knowledge-based decisions” since 1986Securing Nature through “Good Science” and “Knowledge-based decisions” since 1986Securing Nature through “Good Science” and “Knowledge-based decisions” since 1986Securing Nature through “Good Science” and “Knowledge-based decisions” since 1986

RESOURCES HIMALAYA FOUNDATIONConservation Chautari, Naya Bato, Sanepa Ring Road

GPO Box 2448, Kathmandu, NepalTel: +977 1 553 7502, +977 1 555 1930

www.resourceshimalaya.org

Habitat Himalaya - A Resources Himalaya Foundation Factfile * Volume XVI, Number 2 * [email protected] g

Kailali and Kaski Districts, are community managedwith funds from outside. Of these, three do not havemanagement committee. In remaining three, averagecommittee size in Kaski, Nawalparasi and Rupandehi,was 11 persons where Hindu high caste constituted71%, Janjanti (non-Hindu indigenous groups) 20% and

Dalits 9%. Of Dalits, there were no Chamars (Terai)and only two Sarki individuals (Hills). This set-up maysuggest a social turn-around . However, this is not so.All committees are predominanted by the upper castes because funds are readily available as vultures have become endagered. They foresee employment, socialenhancement and opportunity in career development.This implicates that vulture conservation connectedwith feeding carrion, has curtailed the Dalits fromemployment, conservation opportunities andundermined their historical past and on-goingcontributions. This is equally pronounced in VultureConservation Action Plan for Nepal 2009 – 2013 where

the Dalits are not even mentioned.

WINNING HEARTS AND MINDS

As modern mindsets have their feudal roots runningdeeper, social exclusion is not out yet. Thus, caste- based elites not only dominate private enterprises,government jobs and corporate houses but NGOs and

INGOS as well. Present day vulture conservation hasderailed and deprived the Dalits of their livelihoodopportunities. There is a strong need to re-invent thewheel and re-install key stakeholders. The Chamarsand Sarkis can ensure safe food base to vultures. Asthey are the first class monitors to ascertain causesof cattle death, they can handle carcass accordinglywhen trained. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the sole architectof India’s Dalit movement, said that lost rights arenever regained by begging and by appeals to theconscience of the usurpers, but by relentless struggle(Keer, 1971) and the weapon of choice are education,empowerment and democracy to usher inclusion in

nature conservation.REFERENCES

Baral H.R. 2004.Conservation status of White-rumped Vultures Gyps bengalensis in Lumbini. Unpublihed M. Sc. Thesis.Tribhuwan University, Nepal.Dahal, D.R. 2004. Hindu Nationalism of Nepal and status of untouchables in Nepal (in vernacular). In Mainali, M. (ed.): Foundation for An Inclusive

State. Social Science Baha. Kathmandu.Dawkins, R. 1976. The selfish gene. Oxford University Press. United Kingdom.Gilbert M., Richard T., Watson A., Shakeel A., Muhammad A. and J.A. Johnson. 2003. Vulture restaurants and their role in reducing diclofenac

exposure in Asian vultures. Animal Conservation. Vol. 6 (3):189-197GON. 2003. Vulture Conservation Action Plan for Nepal 2009 - 2013 (draft). Government of Nepal. Kathmathndu.Grimmett R.F., Inskipp C. and T. Inskipp. 2000. Birds of Nepal. Christopher Helm, London.Jadhav, N. 2003. Outcaste. Viking. New Delhi.Keer, D. 1971. Dr. Ambedkar, life and mission. Popular Prakashan. Bombay.Naipaul, V .S. 1988. India: A Wounded Civilisation. Picador. IndiaOaks J.L., Gilbert M., Virani M.Z., Watson R.T., Meteyer C.U., Rideout B.A., Shivaprasad H.L., Ahmed S., Chaudhary M.J.I., Arsad M., Mahmood S.,

Ali A. and A.A. Khan. 2004. Diclofenac residues as the cause of population decline of vultures as the cause of population decline of vultures in Pakistan.Nature. Vol. 427:630-633.

Paudel, S. 2008. Vanishing vultures and diclofenac prevalence in Lumbini IBA, Danphe Quarterly Newsletter. Vol. 17(2):1-3.Prakash V., Pain D.J., Cunningham A.A., Donald P.F., Prakash N., Verma A., Gargi R., Sivakumar S. and A.R. Rahamani. 2003. Catastrophic collapse

of Indian White-backed Gyps bengalensis and long-billed Gyps indicus vulture populations. Biological Conservation. Vol. 109: 381-390.Premashi, D. 2006. The short-sighted media of Nepal on Terai (in vernacular).In Thapa, B. and Mainali, M. eds Madhes: Problems and Opportunities.

Social Science Baha. Kathmandu.Sharma, P. 2008. Unravelling the Mosaic: Spatial Aspect of ethnicity in Nepal. Social Science Bhaha/Himal Books. Kathmandu.Swarup D., Patra R. C.,Prakash V.,Cuthbert R.,Das D.,Avari P.,Pain D.J.,Green R.E.,Sharma A.K.,Saini M., Das D., & M. Taggart. 2006. Safety of

meloxicam to critically endangered Gyps vultures and other scavenging birds in India. Animal Conservation. Vol. 10 (2): 192 - 198.Valmiki, O. 2003 . Joothan: A Dalit’s Life. Samya. Kolkata.Sharada Paudel received her master’s degree in environmental science from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu.She has studied biology of

vultures and sarus cranes in Nepal’s Terai. Readers may write to her at [email protected]. All papers published in Habitat Himalaya are reveiwed comprehensively by Pralad Yonzon, Ph D.

Documents

VulturesCastesAndOutcasteWaterMark_sAnUmAn4b9c7bad6a4e4