♦ Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the state with the highest number of vultures in India.

♦ According to the latest state-level vulture census conducted by the Forest Department, the population of vultures in the state has risen to 12,981.

♦ Correspondent reported that the census was carried out across 16 circles, 64 divisions, and nine protected areas under the Forest Department.

♦ In the 2019 census, the vulture population stood at 8,397, which further increased to 10,845 by 2024. 

♦ The vulture census in Madhya Pradesh began in 2016 and has been conducted periodically to monitor population trends.

♦ The state is home to seven species of vultures, of which four are native and three are migratory.

♦ The native species include the Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus), White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), and Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus).