A huge congregation of Amur Falcon locally known as ‘Akhuaipuina’ has started arriving from its breeding grounds in China to the Tamenglong district of Manipur.
As their numbers keep increasing everyday, the district administration as well as local villagers have plunged into swift action to give full protection to the winged guests that have traveled a long distance of around 20,000 kilometre from China to Tamenglong district in Manipur for few months.
“The Amur falcons have come a little early this year. They arrived on October 15 though they normally came after October 20 every year. The flock is increasing every day and it seems that many more are to join,” said Ramkhuanang Gonmei from the roosting site of the Amur Falcon at Puching.
He said the village authority gave full protection to the migratory birds last year. This year, the youth clubs have initiated measures to give full protection to the guests. Akhuaipuina takes rests on the bank of Irang River along Puching village, Guangram, Rangkhung and some parts of Awangkhul village, he said.
It may be mentioned that before their arrival, the district magistrate ordered a ban on the hunting and killing of Amur falcons and asked 33 villages to deposit airguns.
Recently, the district forest department has also conducted a consultative workshop on protection of migratory bird Amur falcon to give awareness to protect and preserve the bird.
As the congregation keeps on increasing, combined teams of Tamenglong Forest Division Staffs and Tamenglong Police led by range forest officer Joel Gangmei Tamenglong police ASI Jian Kamei inspected around the Amur falcon roosting site at Chiuluan.
Combined team also went to Rani Gaidinliu women Market and checked the selling of Amur falcon and other wild animal meat inside the market.
The Combined team then went to check all the grocery shops and hardware shops from medical gate to UBS junction to check the selling of air-guns and pellets, the combined team seized 34 boxes of air gun pellets during the raid and they were taken in department custody.
The Tamenglong Forest department thanked all the village authorities’ leaders for their constant support in the protection of the Amur falcon and the department is also looking forward to their greater cooperation in the days to come.
In the meantime, district Forest officer Hitler Singh informed the Imphal Free Press that many more Amur Falcons are yet to arrive. The congregation is increasing everyday, he said. They will stay till the last of November, he said.
The department has planned to tag two satellites this year, adding that counting of the falcon may stop this year.
Meanwhile, district magistrate, Noney Sharath Chandra Arroju ordered a total ban on hunting, catching, killing and selling of the migratory birds including Amur Falcons by anyone in the district and nearby surrounding areas with immediate effect.
An order issued by the district magistrate stated that the divisional forest officer is requested for issuing prohibitory orders for hunting of the migratory birds and surrendering of air guns within the jurisdiction of Noney district.
As these migratory birds have already arrived in many parts the District and in the last few days and are likely to roost till the end of November, and as this period is considered crucial in the life cycle of Amur Falcons, it mentioned.
The order also imposed a ban on all the air-guns in the district and instructed them to deposit the same with their respective village authorities.
The concerned village authorities shall keep the air guns deposited in their custody until the last flock leaves their roosting place or till November 30, it stated
It mentioned that Longmai, Raengkhung, Awangkhul, Taobam, Khongsang, Rengpang, Nungba, Kambiron, Khumji, Nagaching, Kabui-Khullen, Puichi, Bakwa, Haochong and other areas within Noney District are to follow the instructions. Report of the collection of airguns shall be submitted October 25, it added.
Anyone found willfully violating these prohibitory orders is liable to face consequence as per the law of the land, it stated.
It announced that hunting, killing, destruction of wildlife including migratory birds such as Amur Falcon in any way for consumption or possession or otherwise is a punishable offence under Section 50 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
