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Editorial · 2 min read · THE HINDU PAPER EDITORIAL

Vultures' New Peril: Electrocution Threat in India

Vultures' New Peril: Electrocution Threat in India
Representative image · Photo: Yann (talk) / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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India's endangered vulture populations, after decades of battling chemical threats, now *come up against* a more contemporary and potentially greater menace : electrocution from the nation's rapidly proliferating power infrastructure. The catastrophic plunge in vulture numbers, which saw a staggering 99.5% decline by 2007, was primarily *brought about* by diclofenac, a veterinary painkiller that proved lethal to these scavengers. While the government has taken decisive steps, including a 2023 ban on other NSAIDs like aceclofenac and ketoprofen, the new peril *looms over* the fragile avian species. This historic decline had dire ecological consequences, fostering an increase in feral dog populations and subsequent rabies outbreaks, leading to significant human mortality and substantial economic losses. Although electrocution hasn't yet reached the *magnitude* of past chemical devastation, its pervasive nature and the birds' inherent vulnerability necessitate immediate intervention. Official surveys reveal a worrying trend, with vultures nesting at only half their historical sites. The anatomical reality of their immense wingspans makes them particularly susceptible to contacting multiple live conductors simultaneously. Furthermore, their natural inclination to perch on elevated structures in open landscapes, often near human settlements where food waste is available, exacerbates the risk. Simple, cost-effective solutions exist, such as strategically *setting apart* vulture feeding grounds from high-tension power lines. Other vital measures encompass insulating conductors, increasing physical gaps between energized components, and installing avian-safe perches. Failure to address this evolving challenge could see local vulture populations *die out*, further disrupting an already precarious ecosystem.

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Vocabulary from this Editorial

Address verb

To deal with a problem or issue.

Synonyms: tackle, handle, manage

"The government must <b>address</b> the escalating environmental concerns with effective policies."

Avian adjective

Relating to birds.

Synonyms: birdlike, ornithological, feathered

"The sanctuary is dedicated to the study and protection of <b>avian</b> species."

Catastrophic adjective

Involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.

Synonyms: disastrous, ruinous, calamitous

"The earthquake caused <b>catastrophic</b> damage to the city's infrastructure."

Conductors noun

Materials or devices that allow the flow of electricity.

Synonyms: wires, cables, conduits

"Copper is often used for electrical <b>conductors</b> due to its high conductivity."

Consequences noun

Results or effects of an action or condition.

Synonyms: outcomes, results, repercussions

"Ignoring environmental warnings can have severe <b>consequences</b> for future generations."

Contemporary adjective

Belonging to or occurring in the present.

Synonyms: modern, current, present-day

"<b>Contemporary</b> art often reflects the social and political issues of its time."

Decimated verb

To drastically reduce the strength or effectiveness of (something) by killing or destroying a large proportion of its members.

Synonyms: annihilated, destroyed, exterminated

"The severe drought <b>decimated</b> the crop yield, leading to food shortages."

Decisive adjective

Settling an issue conclusively; producing a definite result.

Synonyms: conclusive, definite, absolute

"A <b>decisive</b> action was needed to prevent further financial losses."

Decline noun

A gradual and continuous loss of strength, numbers, quality, or value.

Synonyms: reduction, downturn, recession

"The company witnessed a sharp <b>decline</b> in profits during the last quarter."

Disrupting verb

Interrupting an event, activity, or process by causing a disturbance or problem.

Synonyms: disturbing, interfering, unsettling

"Heavy snowfall is <b>disrupting</b> travel plans across the region."

Ecological adjective

Relating to or concerned with the relation of living organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.

Synonyms: environmental, natural, biological

"Protecting biodiversity is a key <b>ecological</b> imperative."

Endangered adjective

Seriously at risk of extinction.

Synonyms: threatened, imperiled, vulnerable

"The tiger is an <b>endangered</b> species due to habitat loss and poaching."

Exacerbates verb

Makes (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.

Synonyms: aggravates, worsens, intensifies

"Lack of proper ventilation <b>exacerbates</b> the spread of airborne diseases."

Fostering verb

Encouraging the development of something, especially something desirable.

Synonyms: promoting, encouraging, nurturing

"The program aims at <b>fostering</b> innovation among young entrepreneurs."

Fragile adjective

Easily broken or damaged.

Synonyms: delicate, brittle, vulnerable

"The ancient vase was extremely <b>fragile</b> and required careful handling."

Hazard noun

A danger or risk.

Synonyms: danger, risk, peril

"Driving without a seatbelt is a serious <b>hazard</b>."

Inherent adjective

Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute.

Synonyms: intrinsic, innate, ingrained

"The desire for freedom is an <b>inherent</b> human right."

Intervention noun

The act of interfering in an activity or situation to alter the outcome.

Synonyms: interference, mediation, involvement

"Government <b>intervention</b> was necessary to stabilize the economy."

Lethal adjective

Sufficient to cause death.

Synonyms: deadly, fatal, mortal

"The venom of this snake is extremely <b>lethal</b>."

Looming verb

Appearing as a shadowy form, especially one that is large or threatening.

Synonyms: menacing, threatening, impending

"The dark clouds were <b>looming</b> ominously over the mountains."

Magnitude noun

The great size or extent of something.

Synonyms: scale, extent, size

"The <b>magnitude</b> of the problem required an international effort."

Menace noun

A person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat or danger.

Synonyms: threat, danger, peril

"The rise of cybercrime poses a significant <b>menace</b> to global security."

Necessitate verb

Make (something) necessary as a result or consequence.

Synonyms: require, demand, call for

"The new safety regulations will <b>necessitate</b> a redesign of the equipment."

Perches noun

Places where birds roost or rest, typically a branch or rod.

Synonyms: roosts, rests, seats

"The birds returned to their usual <b>perches</b> on the telephone wires."

Pervasive adjective

Spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.

Synonyms: widespread, ubiquitous, omnipresent

"The smell of freshly baked bread was <b>pervasive</b> throughout the house."

Plunge noun

A sudden and rapid decrease or fall.

Synonyms: drop, fall, descent

"The stock market experienced a sharp <b>plunge</b> after the news release."

Precarious adjective

Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.

Synonyms: unstable, risky, dubious

"The climber found himself in a <b>precarious</b> position on the narrow ledge."

Primarily adverb

For the most part; mainly.

Synonyms: chiefly, mainly, mostly

"The research focuses <b>primarily</b> on renewable energy sources."

Proliferating verb

Increasing rapidly in numbers; multiplying.

Synonyms: multiplying, spreading, escalating

"The internet has led to information <b>proliferating</b> at an unprecedented rate."

Scavengers noun

Animals that feed on carrion, dead plant material, or refuse.

Synonyms: foragers, gleaners, carrion-eaters

"Vultures play a crucial role as nature's <b>scavengers</b>, cleaning up the environment."

Strategically adverb

In a way that relates to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.

Synonyms: tactically, methodically, deliberately

"The company <b>strategically</b> acquired smaller firms to expand its market share."

Substantial adjective

Of considerable importance, size, or worth.

Synonyms: significant, considerable, sizable

"The project received <b>substantial</b> funding from international donors."

Subsequent adjective

Coming after something in time; following.

Synonyms: following, ensuing, later

"The initial investigation led to a <b>subsequent</b> and more thorough inquiry."

Susceptible adjective

Likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.

Synonyms: vulnerable, prone, liable

"Young children are more <b>susceptible</b> to infections."

Trend noun

A general direction in which something is developing or changing.

Synonyms: tendency, direction, course

"The fashion industry is always looking for the next big <b>trend</b>."

Vulnerability noun

The state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

Synonyms: susceptibility, exposure, defenselessness

"The system's <b>vulnerability</b> was exploited by hackers."

Phrasal Verbs

come up against

To be faced with or opposed by (a difficulty, problem, or enemy).

"Scientists *come up against* many challenges when trying to cure rare diseases."

brought about

Caused something to happen; resulted in.

"The new policy *brought about* significant changes in the company's operations."

looms over

To hang over or appear as a large, often threatening, presence; to be an impending threat.

"The threat of job cuts *looms over* the employees."

setting apart

To separate or distinguish (something) from others; to isolate for a specific purpose.

"The new design *sets apart* the product from its competitors."

die out

To become extinct; to cease to exist.

"Many ancient traditions are slowly *dying out* in modern society."

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