Dharamshala, Oct. 31 -- Once pushed to the brink of extinction by widespread poisoning linked to a veterinary drug, vultures in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra valley have shown encouraging signs of recovery, with the number of nests and fledglings recording a notable increase over the past two decades.

According to data shared by the wildlife wing of Himachal Pradesh's forest department, an annual survey conducted over the past two decades has recorded an increase in vulture nests from 26 in 2004-05 to 617 in 2024-25. The number of fledglings has also risen from 23 to 559 during the same period.

Experts say the findings highlight Kangra valley as a key stronghold for vultures in the western Himalayas. The survey tracked the vulture populatio...