Rio Tinto is doing its part to protect wildlife in India’s Madhya Pradesh region, home of its Bunder diamond project.
The mining giant has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Bombay Natural History Society to support various wildlife management initiatives over a five-year period, starting with the area’s endangered vulture species.
Vultures are a critical part of the food chain; they remove rotten meat and bones from carcasses, helping to maintain a balanced ecosystem and prevent the unnecessary spread of disease. The vulture population in India has declined by 99 per cent in the last decade due to the use of Diclofenac, a painkiller used in animal husbandry practices of cattle.
“The negative effect of the declining vulture population on the economy, public health, and culture in India cannot be underestimated,” said Nik Senapati, managing director of Rio Tinto India.
“Rio Tinto is delighted to partner with the esteemed Bombay Natural History Society and we look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration.”
The initiative establishes a 100-km vulture safety zone around Madhya Pradesh, which is a natural habitat for vultures.
“Rio Tinto is playing a leading role in helping determine how wildlife must be protected,” said Tarun Malkani, chief operating officer (COO) of Rio Tinto Diamonds in India. “This partnership is a reflection of our long-term commitment to Madhya Pradesh and the way we work with the government, local partners, and industry experts.”
