Barmer/Jaisalmer, Nov. 8 -- In a rare and remarkable sighting, a large flock of migratory vultures has appeared in the arid expanse of Jaisalmer for the first time. As the desert district welcomes the onset of winter, migratory birds from foreign lands have begun arriving once again. Every year, over 100,000 birds of various species travel to Jaisalmer, escaping the severe cold of their native habitats. This season, around seventy to eighty Cinereous and Griffon vultures from Eurasia have been spotted gliding over the vast sand dunes near the border areas of Jaisalmer. Environmentalist Sumer Singh Sanwata said that such birds are generally seen around the Degrai Oran and other greener regions with water bodies. However, this is the first time vultures have been observed in such a dry and remote desert zone, which, he added, is an encouraging sign for local ecology. He further said, vultures, among the most vital scavengers in the natural ecosystem, are currently on the verge of extinction, with their population having declined drastically across the world. The sighting of a large flock in Jaisalmer highlights the fact that the region has become a safe and favourable habitat for these migratory raptors. He claimed that the absence of poaching and the availability of natural food sources such as small animals and carrion make it an ideal refuge. Every winter, these powerful birds undertake a journey of thousands of kilometers, crossing the Himalayan ranges to reach the comparatively warmer climate of western Rajasthan, where they remain for nearly three to four months. As northern winds begin to strengthen, temperatures across Jaisalmer are expected to fall further. The days will remain partly cloudy, while the chill in the night air is likely to intensify in the coming days....