Amur Falcon in the blue mountain ranges of Tamenglong

Kh Hitler Singh *

Amur Falcon female resting on a power line in China, Liaoning, Huanzidong Reservoir at the start of Autumn migration :: Pix - Wikipedia/DrewHeath

Introduction: This article is inspired by Shri P.N. Prasad APCCF cum Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Manipur. Shri Huri Golmei DFO, Western Forest Division, Tamenglong and the writer had met him to furnish detailed strategies and funding requirement to carry out conservation activities of Amur falcon and other wildlife in the Tamenglong district. Sir Prasad had provided us the Amur falcon special journal of Bombay Natural History Society (April-June, 2014) to explore for Suitable Strategies and National or International Conservation Organizations for carrying out jointly Conservation, Research activities about Amur falcon in the District.

The species: Amur falcon (Falco amurensis) which is locally known as Akhoipuina or Kahoipuina in the Rongmei dialect is a small raptors bird which migrate in a large numbers up-to several lacs from Siberian and Northern China during the winter season to the warmer climatic region in the southern countries such as Myanmar, North East India, Central India, Western India and South Africa in search of food and adaptable temperature.

The migration of this bird was taken a very good sign of bounty harvest and onset of winter season in the Tamenglong District in the past and the village elders took it as the messenger of the God of good harvest. In the olden time these birds were admired and never tried to hunt them. But as time rolled some miscreants were hunting these birds in large number and sold in the market by using different tool such as nylon traps and air guns.

The size is about size of common pigeon. The body length is about twenty six to thirty centimeter with wing span of about 63 to 71 cm. The weight ranges from 97 gm to 155 gm in male bird and from 111 gm to 188 gm in female bird. Amur falcons are raptors bird feeding on several insects. The diets include Termites, Locusts, Ants, Beetles, Mice, etc. They sometime hover around the domestic area and capture small chicks of domestic poultry. The male is blackish grey in color and female bird is brighter in color both having under wing whitish in color. The female is larger in size than the male.

Conservation status: The bird is categorized as the Least Concern under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is protected under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and it is included in the Schedule-IV of the Act. Any bodies who hunt Amur falcon or sell its meat are liable to be punished with imprisonment up to three years or fine up to Rs 25,000.00 (Rupees twenty five thousand) or both.

Migration: The birds being warm blooded could not with stand the severe winter cold climate in its breeding ground in North China and Siberia. As the area is covered by snow the availabilities of food for the birds also decreases. The migration started during October from its breeding ground towards the Southern latitude. They stop at Myanmar and come to North East India, Central India, and Western India and further migrate to the South African Countries with nonstop flying over the Arabian Sea. The migration route and other detailed was more clear with the recent satellite tracking of three Amur falcon birds namely Naga, Wakha & Panti in Nagaland by the Nagaland Forest Department in collaboration with BNHS, WII, and Birdlife International

Lacs of Amur falcons roosting in the Moubi Bamboo (Melancona spp) Forest at the Phallong (Bhallok) Village on 27th October 2015.

Amur Falcon & Tamenglong: Tamenglong is one of the most favorite roosting places of Amur falcon during its migration from North to South and also in its return Journey from South Africa to Siberian and Northern China. Tamenglong is really God's gift of Bio-diversity hot spot. Several Geological formations of Rivers, Lakes, Hill ridges, Caves dotted through the length and breadth of the District. Some famous landscapes are Barak River, Makru River, Irang River, Ijei River, Iring River, Leimatak River, Zeilad and associated Lakes, Mount Kisha, Tharon Cave etc.

Organizational Setup of Western Forest Division, Tamenglong: Western Forest Division, Tamenglong is headed by one Divisional Forest Officer. Under the control of DFO; there are four Forest Ranges namely Tamenglong Range, Nungba Range, Noney Range and Tamei Range. Among Local NGOs, Club and other stake holders: There were very limited local NGOs committed to conservation and preservation of Forest, Wildlife and Environment in the District HQ in the past. But recently many NGOs are coming forward to help in protection of Amur falcon from wanton hunting and selling in the markets. Several Village Institutions such as Village Authority, Church Organization, local youth Club are taking active part in disseminating awareness of conserving Amur falcons and other Wildlife in the District.

Role of Forest Department: As the custodian of Forest and Wildlife, the role of Forest Department, Manipur is very crucial and enormous. The indiscriminate hunting and rampant trade of wildlife product is strictly prohibited under Wildlife Protection Act 1972. At the same time Forest Department is constraint with non-availabilities of adequate staff, infrastructures, and communication-equipments such as Vehicles, Wireless set.

Further the Department is constrained with very limited Budgetary support for carrying out enforcement of Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Conservation Education of Villagers, Research and monitoring of Amur falcons and other important Wildlife found in the District.

Conservation Activities of Western Forest Division: Western Forest Division, Tamenglong under able leadership of Shri Huri Golmei DFO had carried out massive awareness campaign for the last few years on conservation of Forest, Wildlife and specially Amur falcon in many remote villages of the District. This Division had so far carried out awareness campaigns on Wildlife Conservation at Zeilad, Chingkao, Tharon, Phallong (Bhallok), Magulong, Bunning (Piulong) beside national celebration of Bio-diversity Day, Vanamahotsova, Wildlife Week etc at Tamenglong HQ.

The Division also carried out staging of Street Play "Umang Kansi" at fifteen locations in the District. "Mahousagi Maithong" written by Manaobi MM which earn the best script and 2nd best "Sumang Leela" of 2015 had been shown as medium of awareness campaign at Tupul, Noney, Toubam, Tamenglong and Tamei in 2014.

The Division in association with District Administration, Tamenglong had organized one Mega Wildlife Awareness camp "Ngak Lou Dikho Amur falcon" at Tamenglong on 15th November 2014; especially for conservation of Amur falcon. Resource person Deepak Hodam of PFA, Manipur elaborated the necessities of conserving the raptor. A Solemn Pledge was taken by all the participants led by the Chief Guest Shri R.H. Golmei DC, Tamenglong not to trap or hunt Amur falcon in the District.

As a follow up action of the Mega Awareness Campaign it was decided to host one Miss Kahoipuina or Amur Falcon Dance Festival at Tamenglong in the coming year. The suggestions came up from the two Honorary Wildlife Wardens Dr. Chambo Golmei CMO, Tamenglong and Shri Nehemia Pamei, Director, TAMBAC. The first ever Amur Falcon Dance festival was held at Indoor Stadium, Tamenglong on 26th October 2015 by the Division in collaboration with Rain Forest Club, Tamenglong. Shri M. Luikham DC, Tamenglong, Colonel Rajesh Grover CO, 13 AR and Shri Huri Golmei DFO, Tamenglong were the Chief Guest, Guest of Honor and Function President respectively. Many Civil, Police officials and large numbers of people, students pack the large indoor hall.

Positive Results: There are positive feedbacks from many quarters through the Dance Festival. One Unique Wildlife Protection Committee member Shri Elangbam Budha has carried out his own survey in decoy about the availabilities of Amur Falcon meat even in dry form in the Tamenglong Market. He was quite happy to know that Amur falcon is now strictly protected in many villages and it is not available in the market.

The Phallong (Bhallok) village Chairman had reported that hunting, trapping of Amur Falcon is strictly prohibited in his Village and anyone who violate the prohibition shall be heavily fined. On 27th October 2015, the Village Chairman of Phallong led Shri Huri Golmei DFO and the writer to the roosting site of Amur Falcon. The Chairman told us that the Birds shall be roosting in the forest for about two weeks.

We are amazed to see the large number of the birds may be in lacs in number roosting on the Moubi bamboo Forest. We have taken several photos of the birds and their roosting site. It was reported that Kh. Brajesh along with R. K. Birjit Singh State Coordinator, IBCN had taken very good video footage next day in the same roosting site for his documentary film on Amur Falcon. It was further reported that Shri D. Abonmei XL, a documentary film producer based at Tamei, who had been honored with "Special Jury Award" for the film script "Kanada Tainani" on 12th August 2015; had also taken good video footage for his Wildlife Awareness Film "Thamoigeedamak Thawai" from the same roosting site.

Conclusion: It is heartening to share many good tidings for conserving Amur falcon and other Wildlife in Tamenglong District. We earnestly sought sincere supports, meaningful suggestions from Intellectuals, Researchers, Government or Non-Government Organizations, National or International Institutions, from all stake-holders to conserve the bounties of nature in the blue mountain ranges of Tamenglong. May the Lord ensure arrival of these winged Guests in the year to come!