JAIPUR: Reported sighting of two rare species of vultures in large numbers in Baran district on Tuesday cheered environmentalists and bird watchers. "These two rare species -- white rumped and long billed were sighted in large numbers on the banks of Villasi river in Kishangang and Kraye river in Shabad, respectively," SDM Muktanand Agrawal said here on Tuesday. Noted bird watcher and vulture expert, Harshvardhan Singh, said, "In the past few years the population of white rumped had gone down by 95%. Since very few such vultures survived these birds could not breed and their numbers were going down fast. However, the number of long billed is more and these birds can be seen often but their numbers too are declining at a fast rate." He added, "It iss good news, however, efforts should be made to continuously follow these birds." One of the main reason for rapid diminishing of these species throughout the country, Singh said, was the use of diclofenac given to cattle as painkillers by veterinary doctors. The drug was harmful for vultures which feeds on flesh of dead animals. According to environmentalistVittal Sanadhaya, the vulture population has diminished rapidly across the country in the past decade. However, these rare species which are on the verge of extinction can be found in small numbers in some areas in Kota and Bundi districts. "The recently found colonies of vultures in Baran is a good news and there is a need to develop a new vulture hub in the region for their conservation," Sanadhaya said. About five species of vultures were found in Hadautti region previously but most of them have disappeared from the forests in thelast decade, he said.