Digital Desk: Amur
falcons, the world's longest-flying raptors, have begun to arrive in Manipur's
Tamenglong district after a long migration, according to officials. According
to sources, in light of the arrival of Amur falcons in Manipur, the Tamenglong
district administration has declared a prohibition on any and all air weapon
systems and given instructions to stash them at the offices of their
respective village administrations.
Confirming the arrival
of the Amur falcon (Falcon amurensis) in the state's western district,
Tamenglong Forest Division divisional forest officer (DFO) Amandeep stated,
"With the arrival of the Amur falcons in the first week of October, the
department has taken up regular checking and awareness programs have been
started, in addition to organizing joint patrolling in the district." The
DFO also stated that the deputy commissioner of Tamenglong district has been
instructed to take necessary steps to prevent Amur falcon hunting.
The forest authority is
also planning an Amur falcon festival next month, according to an official
reached by phone. The migration of Amur falcons commences in several regions of north-eastern India, such as the Tamenglong district, in the second
week in October and continues until the end of November. The Amur falcon is
listed in Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
Furthermore,
"hunting, placing, killing, and selling of migrating birds
(including the Amur falcon)is banned by anyone in the district with
immediate effect" in its decision on Friday. On October 13, this year,
residents in Tamenglong town, 150 kilometers west of Imphal, reported hearing an
Amur falcon cry. Locals later reported that large groups of birds began to
roost in the Chiuluan Barak district on October 20..
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