Substitute for vultures
If, on a trial basis, with official permission, we were to initially secure eight to 10 birds from Assam, and bring them to our dakhmas in Bombay and elsewhere, perhaps our community’s requirements could be met.
However, it would first have to be established whether or not these birds are immune to diclofenac from which vultures have perished.
CYRUS D. BHARUCHA
The editors reply:
The Hargila are an endangered species and relocation from Assam to Maharashtra would be turned down by the various state authorities. They may not survive in an alien environment and even if they do, they may not consume human flesh. There is no guarantee they would remain in Bombay if brought here. They certainly cannot and should not be kept in captivity. Shifting the birds to Bombay is no more practical than asking Parsis to move to Assam and build a dakhma there.
An appropriately practical and thoughtful response by the editors. The extent to which people go to retain the antiquated and progressively impractical Dakhma system is ridiculous. Alternatives need to be sought with a responsible scientific review by experts, in consultation with the community in addition to reviewing the views of scholars, the business trustees (BPP), and the priests.