The Tamenglong and Noney districts of Manipur have implemented a ban on the hunting, catching, killing, and selling of the Amur Falcon. This species, which is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, can no longer be exploited in these areas.
Tamenglong witnessed an awe-inspiring spectacle as its residents captured and shared videos of the inaugural appearance of Amur falcons gracefully soaring overhead on social media.
These pigeon-sized birds travel up to 22,000 KMS every year during their migration season.
Amur falcons arrive in Northeast India, including Tamenglong district, from mid-October until the end of November.
The Manipur Forest Department, along with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), will conduct the first-ever census of Amur falcons in the Tamenglong district, which serves as the main nesting site for these magnificent birds.
The experts will carry out a head-count for the birds arriving in Tamenglong.
World’s Longest Flying Migratory Birds 'Amur falcons' Arrives in Manipur
© Photo : Twitter/@punasusang
The Divisional Forest Officer, Amandeep, from Tamenglong district, has informed the Indian media that conducting a census of the Amur Falcon bird will greatly assist in gathering crucial data on their migration patterns into Indian territory.
At some points, over 5,000 falcons roosted while more than 50,000 were seen flocking at other roosting sites, Amandeep said.
The forest officer stated that they have joined hands with the Wildlife Institute of India to investigate their migratory routes and plan to attach satellite transmitters to two healthy Amur falcon birds.
India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals for protecting migratory birds of prey.
Back in 2018 and 2019, the radio-tagging programme of Amur Falcon was undertaken in Manipur’s Tamenglong district to conserve wildlife and also study the route of these long-distance migratory birds in different environmental patterns.