From Tigers to Vultures: Why MP Leads India’s Wild Comeback: In a remarkable win for wildlife conservation, Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the top state in India for vulture population in 2025. The latest census data has recorded 12,981 vultures, the highest among all Indian states, cementing the state’s reputation as not just the “Tiger State” but now also the “Vulture State of India.”
But this achievement is not isolated. Madhya Pradesh is also home to the largest forest cover, the most number of tiger reserves, and one of the strongest wildlife management systems in the country. The state is rapidly becoming a model for biodiversity preservation and ecological balance.
A Safe Haven for Vultures
The 2025 winter census, conducted in February, revealed that Madhya Pradesh now supports seven out of the nine vulture species found in India. These include:
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Indian Long-billed Vulture
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White-rumped Vulture
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Egyptian Vulture
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Red-headed Vulture
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Himalayan Griffon
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Eurasian Griffon
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Cinereous Vulture
This marks a massive recovery from earlier decades, when vulture populations crashed across India due to the use of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac in livestock, which proved fatal to scavenging birds. Madhya Pradesh’s ban enforcement, awareness campaigns, and wildlife care centers have played a vital role in this turnaround.
The state government also conducts biannual vulture censuses—during winter and summer—to monitor populations and breeding success rates. These scientific surveys ensure that conservation policies are data-driven and adaptive.
More Than Just Vultures: MP’s Rich Biodiversity
Madhya Pradesh isn’t just ahead in vulture conservation. It leads the nation in multiple areas of environmental significance:
🔹 Highest Forest Area in India
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MP has over 77,000 square kilometers of forest cover, which is more than 25% of its total area.
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Rich and diverse ecosystems range from Sal and Teak forests to dry deciduous woodlands.
🔹 Maximum Number of Tiger Reserves
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The state houses 7 tiger reserves, more than any other Indian state:
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Kanha
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Bandhavgarh
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Pench
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Satpura
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Panna
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Sanjay-Dubri
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Ratapani (proposed)
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According to the All-India Tiger Estimation 2022, Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of wild tigers, overtaking Karnataka.
🔹 Leading in Leopard and Ghariyal Conservation
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MP has a high leopard population, especially in Satpura and Panna landscapes.
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It’s also home to the Chambal Sanctuary, one of the few protected habitats of the critically endangered gharial.
A Model for Other States
Madhya Pradesh’s success isn’t accidental. It is a result of multi-level conservation planning, political will, scientific monitoring, and grassroots awareness. The government has:
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Established wildlife rescue centers across districts.
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Banned harmful veterinary drugs like diclofenac.
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Set up vulture restaurants (safe carcass dumping zones) to ensure food security for scavenger birds.
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Integrated eco-tourism with community engagement, providing employment and education on conservation.
Other Indian states are now looking to emulate MP’s strategies. The state’s structured approach to wildlife protection, public-private partnerships, and investment in forest management could offer a national blueprint.
Why This Matters
Vultures may not be as charismatic as tigers, but their ecological role is critical. They dispose of animal carcasses rapidly, preventing the spread of diseases like anthrax, rabies, and tuberculosis. A rise in their population reflects a healthier ecosystem overall.
Madhya Pradesh’s rise as a leader in forest governance, wildlife conservation, and species revival is not just a win for the state—it’s a victory for India’s ecological future.
Final Thought
From being known as the Heart of India to now becoming its Green Lungs, Madhya Pradesh has shown how long-term vision and policy-backed action can restore balance in nature. With vultures soaring high again and forests teeming with life, the state is setting a standard that others would do well to follow.
