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The Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR), located across the Bundi and Bhilwara districts, has taken a pioneering step by launching Rajasthan’s first-ever ‘Vulture Restaurant’ in a tiger reserve. A conservation initiative aimed at supporting vulture populations through the controlled dumping of animal carcasses.

Renowned for its rich biodiversity, RVTR is now expanding its conservation focus beyond tigers to include ecologically vital species such as vultures and wolves. After thorough research on the movement patterns of seven vulture species within the reserve, the Forest Department, in collaboration with the Guardbook Conservation Foundation, began implementing a structured vulture conservation program in 2024. This initiative involves the establishment of designated carcass dumping sites in areas with high vulture activity. These locations provide a safe, undisturbed environment for vultures to feed, helping to replicate natural scavenging conditions. The carcasses, collected from nearby villages, not only benefit vultures but also support other scavengers such as hyenas, jackals, wild boars, and occasionally leopards. To ensure continuous monitoring and data collection, the Forest Department has installed live surveillance cameras at the sites.

The Guardbook Conservation Foundation has played a vital role by donating a wildlife rescue vehicle and supporting the recruitment of a dedicated Wildlife Biologist to conduct scientific research on vulture behavior and population dynamics.

Early results are promising—camera trap footage has already recorded hundreds of vultures across all seven species, along with a variety of scavenging mammals. This initiative marks a significant milestone in integrated wildlife conservation in Rajasthan.