The traditional Zoroastrian burial rites, involving Towers of Silence in India, Iran, and Pakistan, are facing challenges due to the decline of vulture populations. The Parsi community has traditionally relied on vultures to dispose of their dead, but with vulture numbers dwindling, alternate methods such as cremation or burial are being considered. Vultures are in danger primarily due to inadvertent poisoning from the drug diclofenac, affecting their population significantly. To save the vultures and preserve their burial customs, efforts such as captive breeding and banning harmful drugs are being explored. The Parsi community is struggling to maintain their cultural traditions in the face of environmental changes and vulture decline.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/04/vulture-shortage-threatens-zoroastrian-burial-rites-india-iran-pakistan