State to conduct Amur falcon census
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, October 14 2023:
Manipur Forest Department, in a first in the state, would be carrying out head count of Amur Falcons in Zeliangrong Naga dominated Tamenglong district where maximum of the migratory birds roost.
The exercise is a part of the Department's upcoming string of programmes to safeguard and protect Amur falcons.
Notably, a first batch of the smallsized raptors numbering around 20/30 landed in Tamenglong, as locals on Friday witnessed them hovering in skies overhead a jungle close to the district headquarters.
Locally known as 'Akhuaipuina', the long-distance migratory birds usually land in Manipur, mostly in Tamenglong and neighbouring Nagaland, in mid-October from their breeding grounds in northern China and south eastern Siberia, wildlife experts said.
According to the experts, after roosting for little over a month, the Falcons depart the state and fly towards the southern and eastern parts of Africa and flock for a short time before flying towards their breeding grounds.
"We have engaged a prominent NGO from the state for conducting Amur Falcon census on the spots (roosting sites).
They will carry out the head count when the birds completely arrive in Tamenglong," divisional forest officer Tamenglong Amandeep said on Friday.
Generally, the number of birds flocking the district varies from one roosting site to another, he pointed out, while adding that in some locations over 5000 Falcons roost while more than 50,000 could be seen flocking to other roosting sites.
"Once the census is conducted, we would maintain a data on their (falcons) arrival," Amandeep continued.
It may be mentioned that the district's forest unit as well as Rainforest Club, Tamenglong (RCT) are all set to jointly hold a series of programmes to spread awareness among the villages, mostly the youth, to protect and show their love to the winged guests during their stay in the district.
Barely a week after the district magistrate Tamenglong L Angshim Dangshawa issued an order, banning on hunting, catching, killing and Selling of the birds and using of air guns during the raptors' roosting period, his Noney counterpart, Joseph Pauline Kamson, issued similar order on Friday.
RCT secretary Ramhiamang Gonmei said that most of the birds usually flock in large numbers at the forest along Barak and Irang rivers.
As done earlier, 'Amur Falcon Dance Festival' will also be organised by the forest authorities in collaboration with RCT next month.