A committee of vultures, who have made a Demthring in West Jaiñtia Hills their temporary home for almost a month, have migrated to Wapungshnong in East Jaiñtia Hills district.
The vulture species known as the Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis) was first sighted in Demthring since April 2 and since then the Wildlife Division of Jaintia Hills is doing its best to ensure that this species categorised in the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened is not harmed.
To ensure that the visiting vultures are unharmed during their sojourn in Meghalaya, a team from Ratacherra and Sonapur wildlife beat and officials from the wildlife division in Jaintia Hills reached Wapungshnong yesterday to monitor the birds.
According to wildlife officer from Ratacherra beat, Shanbor Paul Lamare these vultures reached Wapungshnong on April 25.
He said since the vultures eat dead animal carcasses, people are urged not to feed or go near the birds.
It may be mentioned that ever since the visitors were sighted, in people have visited Demthring out of curiosities and brought spotlight on the vultures.
Divisional Forest Officer, Forests and Environment Department Anu P. James, IFS in order to raise awareness on the need to understand the vultures also wrote an article to Highland Post stating that the large committee of vultures in the state is a welcome indicator of an environment that is healthy.
