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A list of some of the major achievements of the programme includes:
Nov 2004 - Attended the IUCN convened World Conservation Congress, Bangkok 17-25 Nov 2004. Interactions with government officials from the south Asian vulture range countries for consensus on a Vulture Resolution which was agreed upon and successfully passed.
January 2005- The program was instrumental in getting the Secretary and ADG MoEF to visit Pinjore Vulture Breeding Centre with half a day of discussions. Discussions and having gaining consensus on the vulture issue with the NBWL members,
March 2005 - National Board of Wildlife, chaired by PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh gave a directive for veterinary diclofenac ban within a stipulated time frame.
April 2005 - MoEF Organised inter-ministry meeting to decide on the action for the diclofenac ban, with key BNHS input.
October 2005 - Provided information for the instigated inter-ministry meeting at the MoA on the vulture diclofenac issue.
November 2005 - Many Indian States responded to discussions by stopping the purchase of veterinary drug diclofenac in the government sectors. Few Manufactures had stopped production of veterinary diclofenac.
January 2006 - International meeting organised by MoEF in Delhi with key BNHS and RSPB input and support. This formalised recommendations including the priority to ban diclofenac and for the conservation breeding programme. This resulted in Government Vulture Action Plan being produced in April 2006.
March-April 2006 - GEF supported BNHS advocacy campaign documentary Vanishing Vultures produced in association with Mike Pandey was screened in British Council auditorium of Delhi and Mumbai . Press conference with Indian Press Club (all language print and TV press members were invited) was very well received. State level Advocacy commences profoundly.
May 2006 - Drug Controller General of India issued directive to withdraw all licences to manufacture veterinary diclofenac within India by August 2006. (Similar measures were taken in Nepal and Pakistan within 4 months)
June 2006 - The NBWL convened and chaired by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the vulture issue had been deliberated and put further high level pressure to hasten the process of diclofenac ban.
January 2007- Award for the best documentary of the Vanishing Vultures at Fourth Annual Maine Benzodiazepine Study Group International Conference and Third Annual Unused Drug Return International Conference, Oct 23-24, Portland Maine, USA. ( Nita was unable to attend but she was able to pass on the message).
Feb 2007 - Indian Farmers Fair award for best interaction and communication stall was given to the advocacy program it was the choice of the farmers.
2007 Interacted with the Chemists Association of India, Indian Veterinary Council, Drug Pricing Authority of India.
March 2007 - Inter-ministry meeting on the vulture and diclofenac issue, Nita Shah's brief presentation deliberating the major points that needed policy formulation.
May - June 2007 - Multi-ministry minutes (meeting of March 07) circulated to concerned ministries by MoEF recommending the formulation of policies for effective ban of veterinary diclofenac its importation, creating new schedule of drugs and safety testing of other painkillers and the economics of meloxicam and diclofenac.
2006-07 - Actions of the program indirectly provoked more manufactures to produce Meloxicam the safe alternative drug.
August 2007 Interactions ongoing with government and with the NBWL members bringing them on board on the vulture issue which is part of the agenda for the forthcoming NBWL meeting in September 07.
10-14 Sept 2007: 4th Asia Regional IUCN Conservation Forum. Nita was able to raise the vulture and diclofenac issue.
October 2007: Multi-Ministerial meeting organised by MoEF prompted by the vulture advocacy actions. Led to high profile actions on recommendations by Drug Controller General, MoCF, MoC, MoF.
Nov. 2007: Meeting with DCGI and MoCF, MoEF actions for a new schedule was already in process for drugs impacting species other than livestock/poultry and human. Also Manufacturers meeting and Drug Association meeting at MoCF led to measure making human diclofenac doses in small single packaging.
Nov. 2007: Nita Shah in RSPB U.K. Attended the world animal health conference met the Drug Regulators of the Developed across the world. Nita and Chris Bowden successfully raised the diclofenac vulture issue, developed contacts and offers to present at OIE meeting as well as passing information through European Medicine Agency (EMEA) one of the branching arms of the EU.
March 2008 OIE Conference, Senegal. Veterinary Medicinal Products in Africa Nita and Chris participated, showed 'Vanishing Vultures' film and had a great impact. A resolution on use of diclofenac was passed - a major achievement from this key forum.
April 08 Multi-Ministry meeting organized by MoEF MoA needs to promote the safe alternative meloxicam across the country an thereby create a demand for it and further reduction of price. Notification of new Schedule for problem drugs in process this will monitor the use of diclofenac for human and vigilance on its spill over to veterinary market
April 08 Major notification by Customs on anti dumping duty levied on China's dumping of diclofenac. This was a major achievement of the MoEF, MoC, MoF and BNHS vulture advocacy program.
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