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Vulture Decline Threatens Parsi Burial Traditions in South Asia

3/10/2026

45 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Vulture decline, a 97% drop from diclofenac poisoning, threatens the Parsi towers of silence in India, Iran, and Pakistan.
Hoshang Kapadia, a Karachi resident, says urbanization and environmental change erode this burial practice.
Parsis are pursuing alternatives such as captive vulture breeding and solar concentrators for decomposition.
Some already turn to burial or cremation as towers become less functional.

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Story summary

Vulture decline, a 97% drop from diclofenac poisoning, threatens the Parsi towers of silence in India, Iran, and Pakistan.
Hoshang Kapadia, a Karachi resident, says urbanization and environmental change erode this burial practice.
Parsis are pursuing alternatives such as captive vulture breeding and solar concentrators for decomposition.
Some already turn to burial or cremation as towers become less functional.