'Save Amur falcon'
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Tamenglong, October 11 2017:
With a view to conserve wild animals and birds, specially Amur Falcon (Akhuaipuina, as the people of Tamenglong calls it), Western Forest Division of Tamenglong and Rain Forest Club of Tamenglong began organising awareness campaigns, seminars in various areas of the district in which people and youths in particular, eventually joined the movement to conserve the bird .
As a result of the campaigns, an Amur Falcon festival is set to be organised on November 3 at Tamenglong DHQs, conveyed a press release issued by DIO, Tamenglong .
Amur Falcon, a small bird weighing around 100-150 grams and measuring 25-30 cm in length, usually arrives at the district in the beginning of October, every year .
The people of Tamenglong see the falcons as messenger of God and their arrival indicates a good year and a bountiful harvest, however, the younger generation began to destroy the species by hunting using nets, sling shots and guns, it stated .
The campaigns and awareness programmes began as a result of the illegal capturing of the birds as the particular species is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 .
"India is signatory to the convention of migratory species and thus have a duty under the International law to ensure that killing and consumption of such species is strictly prohibited", it added .
It sought the State Government’s attention to take initiative in implementing stringent laws to conserve the falcons and expressed desire to open a possible tourist spot in the district so that people can come and watch the birds.