Vultures are an integral part of the ecosystem where they play a role of scavengers. The declining population of vultures reflects imbalances leading to consequences such as a rise in the population of feral dogs and
increasing attacks on humans and other wildlife (per.observations). Orchha in Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh is one such place which is well known for a good population of Critically Endangered Long-billed or Indian Vultures (Gyps indicus) and Endangered Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus). Both these species are breeding in the niches in monuments
of the holy city famous for its Raja Ram Temple. We are regularly monitoring this population since 2008. The coordinated efforts of various government departments and NGO’s in the past had contributed in maintaining
the vulture population in Orchha. However, various activities due to human negligence are encouraging the scavengers to move away from Orchha. The nests are always disturbed due to the permissions given for shooting during the breeding season for example Hollywood Movie “Singularity” by the Neelmudra Entertainment Ltd., Mumbai in 2011. The problem  became all the more complicated with the preparations of 3 day Namaste Orchha Festival from 6th to 8th March in 2020 as nests of vultures were destroyed and thrown away by the laborers in the name of cleaning the monuments. Again in December 2022 shooting is going on for some web series and the sets are in close proximity to the vulture nests. There has been continuous decline in the number of nests due to such activities. Once such activities starts it becomes very difficult to stop them because of the long time taking procedures. The Archaeological Department in Bhopal gives the permission. The Forest Department remains silent and when media plays its role, the authorities reply that no damage has been done and everything is fine. The proofs are then collected and sent to them again and then the delay in replies leads to the loss that cannot be repaired with any amount. The Archaeological department is continuously giving permission without  considering the protection of Schedule I species, the vultures. Although it was agreed that the spatial and chronological restrictions should be undertaken to protect vultures during the sensitive period of breeding, the ground scenario is on the contrary. As per 2020 data, a decade before, about nine different monuments in Orchha provided suitable nesting site to the vultures with about 35 nests in active position with successful breeding. The case study of Orchha reflects the need of immediate Government interdisciplinary coordination to save the breeding sites of vultures for their long term conservation. On one hand significant amounts are spent on ex-situ conservation of vultures (captive breeding, GIS studies and vulture
census) and on the other hand protection of the natural in-situ habitats of the Critically Endangered vultures is being neglected. Strict implementation of the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 should be used to
stop disturbance to the nesting sites of the Critically Endangered species for their conservation. At present the number of monuments inhabited by vultures is only two having only 11 nests. We request the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to take some serious action for the Master Scavengers. We look forward for a permanent ban of shooting in and around Chaturbhuj Mandir and Cenotaphs (Chhatris) along the Kanchan Ghat. We also request for the removal of unnecessary lights in these two monuments that are just for show and attraction.