Carbofuran poisoning causes vulture deaths.

Why in news?

• Recent deaths of more than 95 Himalayan griffon vultures (Near Threatened) and a steppe eagle in Assam have been attributed to pesticide poisoning due to carbofuran.
• Habitat of Himalayan griffon vultures: western China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, east through the Himalayan mountain range in India, Nepal and Bhutan, to central China and Mongolia.

About Carbofuran:

• It is a pesticide that is widely used to control insects and nematodes on a variety of agricultural crops
• Its extensive use for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes has been directly responsible for the environmental contamination and human health issues.