Forest officials in Kumram Bheem Asifabad have announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for locating critically endangered long-billed vultures that once thrived at Palarapu Gutta. The birds are suspected to have migrated to Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.
Published Date – 15 March 2026, 12:06 PM
Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Forest officials have announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh to members of the public who help trace long-billed vultures, a critically endangered bird species that once inhabited the vulture conservation site at Palarapu Gutta (cliff) in Nandigaon village of Penchikalpet mandal.
In a press statement, officials said the reward would be given to anyone who alerts the department by locating the scavenger birds as part of conservation measures. They suspect that the birds migrated to a vulture sanctuary at Kamalapur in Gadchiroli district of neighbouring Maharashtra after vacating the colony a few months ago.
Officials said steps were being taken to attract the endangered birds back to the site at the earliest. Staff have been deployed to monitor the conservation site and efforts are underway to bring the birds back to the cliff. The natural incinerators were reportedly habituated to consume ‘extra’ food served by officials of the sanctuary in the neighbouring State and were not showing interest in returning to the colony.
A colony of 10 long-billed vultures was first identified by Forest officials at Palarapu Guttalu (cliffs), located at the confluence of Peddavagu and Pranahita, in 2013. A vulture conservation project funded by the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) began in January 2015, following which a field biologist and five bird trackers were appointed.
The colony used to be inhabited by around 20 adults and 10 chicks till 2022. However, the population at the site dwindled to just two pairs over time, worrying officials and prompting them to step up efforts to conserve the birds, which play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.
