New Delhi: Recording a decline in Parsi population in the country from 76,382 in the 1991 to 69,601 in the 2001 Census, the report on religion stressed the need for "urgent and drastic" interventions to ensure survival of the community.

"This is clear, visible but extremely unfortunate decline of a rich civilisation of Zoroastrians. It is apparent from 2001 Census results that urgent and drastic interventions are required by all concerned, including possibly by the Government and definitely the Parsi community leaders to ensure survival of Parsi population in India," according to a release of the Census Commission.

As per the 2001 Census, the Parsi population in the country is 69,601 (33,949 males and 35,652 females) as against their population of 76,382 (37,736 males and 38,646 females) in the 1991 Census, the release said.

"Fertility improvement innovative initiatives rather than fertility control measures adopted by the community so far are possibly the need of the hour before it reaches a point of no return.

"It is expected that this loud and clear message from 2001 Census awakens the country and the Parsi community from the deep slumber it is possibly in and have a beneficial effect for them," it said.