Manipur Forest Department Initiates First-Ever Census of Amur Falcons

Manipur Forest Department Initiates First-Ever Census of Amur Falcons Image/Express

VoM News Desk | October 15, 2023 | 11:56 AM IST | Breaking News, Climate & Environment, Manipur | Follow on Google News

Manipur Forest Department Initiates First-Ever Census of Amur Falcons

Manipur Forest Department Initiates First-Ever Census of Amur Falcons

The forest department of Manipur has undertaken a groundbreaking initiative to conduct a comprehensive census of Amur falcons. This pioneering endeavor is part of a series of programs designed to safeguard these migratory birds that make stopovers in Nagaland’s Wokha, Assam’s Dima Hasao, and Manipur’s Tamenglong districts during their astounding 22,000-kilometer journey from northern China and southeastern Siberia to the coasts of South and East Africa.

Amur Falcons Arrive in Tamenglong District

The arrival of the first batch of Amur falcons, consisting of approximately 20-30 of these small-sized birds, took place in Manipur’s Tamenglong district on Friday. Known locally as ‘Akhuaipuina,’ these falcons typically begin their arrival in mid-October. After roosting for over a month, they continue their migration over the Arabian Sea, en route to Africa.

Counting the Falcons

To conduct the census of Amur falcons at their roosting sites, the forest department has engaged a prominent local NGO. The headcount will be carried out once the birds have fully arrived in Tamenglong. The number of falcons can vary significantly from one roosting site to another, with some sites hosting over 5,000 of these magnificent birds and others witnessing gatherings of more than 50,000. The census aims to provide valuable data on their arrival and activities.

Protecting and Celebrating the Falcons

The forest department, in collaboration with the Rainforest Club Tamenglong (RCT), has planned a series of programs to inspire local communities to protect these migratory birds and express their affection for them. Among the planned events is the “Amur Falcon Dance Festival,” scheduled for November.

District magistrates of Tamenglong and neighboring Noney have issued orders to prohibit hunting, capturing, killing, and selling these birds. A decade ago, hunting was common in Nagaland, but through government initiatives, efforts by NGOs, and awareness campaigns in villages, attitudes have shifted, and many have become protectors of these remarkable birds.

The Amur falcon (Falco amurensis) is a small raptor of the falcon family. After breeding in southeastern Siberia and northern China, they migrate in large flocks across India, flying over the Arabian Sea to winter in the coasts of Southern and East Africa. Once they have roosted in the region, these magnificent birds take flight once more, continuing their journey to Africa. This initiative not only highlights the importance of conservation but also the incredible wonder of the natural world.

VoM News Desk

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