Assam village mourns lost vultures, celebrates recovery in heartfelt ceremony

Guwahati: Ratanpur, a small hamlet in Assam's Tinsukia district, buzzed with a unique energy today (June 11, 2024). The community center of the village hosted a ceremony that was both a eulogy and a celebration.

The somber occasion – to honor 11 vultures found dead under a simul tree earlier this month – was interwoven with a message of hope. Three vultures, survivors of the suspected poisoning incident, were being released back into the wild.

Staffers from the Sadiya Range Office, Doomdooma Division, and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) joined hands with the villagers – the Ratanpur gaon, Namghar committee, High School, social activists, and NGOs – to create a day of remembrance and revival.

Respectful rituals were performed for the deceased vultures, a poignant display of the respect the villagers hold for these avian scavengers. But the day wasn't solely draped in mourning. The successful treatment of three Himalayan Griffons, brought back from the brink by Dr. Mehdi Hassan, WTI's veterinarian surgeon, added a celebratory air.

The ceremony doubled as a platform for awareness. Experts spoke about the vital role vultures play in the ecosystem, keeping the environment clean by consuming carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases. The loss of ten Himalayan Griffons and a White-rumped vulture is a stark reminder of the threats these birds face.

Yet, the release of the three rehabilitated vultures offered a beacon of hope. Witnessing this, with Dr. Hassan presiding over the release, was a powerful moment for the Ratanpur community. The event served as a model for collaboration – government officials, NGOs, social activists, and the villagers, all working together for a common cause.