Authors - Bharathidasan, Dhivyalakshumi, Vasanthi Abstract - This paper investigates an innovative, community-driven model of vulture conservation developed by Arulagam, an environmental NGO operating within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu, India. Declination of vulture population due to the misuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in veterinary care, has been observed in recent decades. This study examines how Arulagam's interdisciplinary approach combines scientific outreach, cultural engagement, and stakeholder collaboration has evolved into a replicable model for sustainable ecological entrepreneurship. Using qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews, field observation, and campaign-based ethnography, this study documents how interventions such as pharmacist sensitisation, ethno-veterinary advocacy, school programs, and mobile awareness drives have contributed to the formation of Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs). It highlights how creative mediums like shadow puppetry, murals, and mythological storytelling have shifted negative public perceptions of vultures and introduced conservation ethics within local communities. This paper also explores entrepreneurial pathways emerging from the conservation framework, including eco-tourism, ethical livestock branding, and native plant nurseries. Emphasizing on the principles of nature-based solutions and aligned with SDG 15 (Life on Land), this study proposes a measurable intervention model that merges biodiversity protection with livelihood generation, offering policy-relevant insights for governing conservation in other biodiversity hotspots.
