Story of Jatayu
Vultures are large sized scavenging birds, feeding mostly on the carcasses of dead animals. They also have an important cultural role in the consumption of human dead bodies in sky burials within Nepal and Tibet. South Asia's vultures are on the brink of extinction because of veterinary use of the drug diclofenac.
Within Vulture Safe Zones, Vulture Safe Feeding Sites — popularly called Jatayu Restaurants — is the first community managed vulture restaurant in the world.
The restaurant buys old cattle such as cows, buffalos, and other livestock which have become an economic burden for the farmers, and takes care of them until they die. After they die naturally, the carcass is fed to the vultures.
Nepal's first feeding site lies within Kawasoti municipality in Nawalparasi district, adjacent to the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park. Out of the nine species of vultures recorded in Nepal, eight have been seen feeding on carcasses at this site.
DB Chaudhary of Kawasoti Municipality-13, Laukhani, East Nawalparasi, is the person who brought the concept of Jatayu Restaurant to conserve vultures 17 years ago. In the early days, people thought of vultures as dirty birds and were skeptical about why they should be preserved, and what these birds gave in return. It was hard to explain and make sense of. Mr Chaudhary, along with a few people who joined the conservation campaign, rallied for support from the village and the government.
Since the name "Jatayu" is associated with the religious text Ramayana as a brave bird who sacrificed his own life in the effort to save Goddess Sita from the evil King Ravana, the campaign decided to use the name "Jatayu" for Vulture Safe Feeding Sites, hoping it would bring a positive affiliation to the bird.
Of the nine species of vulture found in Nepal, the Red-headed Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, and Indian Vulture are listed as endangered. Other species found in Nepal include the White-rumped Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, and Griffon Vulture.
In early 2006, about 1,200 pairs of vultures were found in Nepal. Currently, that number has increased to an estimated over 12,000. The use of diclofenac in Nepal as a veterinary medicine is now completely banned in Nepal and India.
Work produced during the Unnati Artist Residency Program. The "Nawalpur Artists Residence" program was held by Unnati Cultural Village / CG Foundation, between 27th December 2022 and 12th January 2023.
