A LEGACY OF COMMUNITY-DRIVEN CONSERVATION

Nagaland commemorates 10 years of Amur Falcon conservation

Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 4

Commissioner & Secretary for Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Y. Kikheto Sema today called upon the people to continue to retain legacy that “our state example of community-driven conservation and let us also ensure that Nagaland remains a haven for the Amur Falcon.”

He said it is the responsibility of the department and all the community that “we should retain the Amur Falcon Capital forever and ever.”

Sema said this during the commemoration of 10 years of Amur Falcon conservation in Nagaland at the conference hall of the office of PCCF & HoFF, Kohima.

“A decade ago, our state took the responsibility of safeguarding one of the world’s most remarkable avian wonders – the Amur Falcon. These falcons undertake one of the longest migrations of any raptor. Its extraordinary migration journey covers an astounding 22,000 kms annually. Their journey, spanning from the breeding grounds in Asia to the southern reaches of Africa, includes a marathon non-stop day and night flight of over 4,000 km across the Arabian Sea, which is  truly amazing,” said Kikheto.

In 2013, he said, with much effort by the media, Forest Department, Village Councils of Pangti, Sungro villages, Churches, Wildlife Trust of India etc declared zero hunting of Amur Falcon.

The conservation success drew attention at the national and international level. After an international team of ornithologists recorded that around one million Amur Falcons roost in the Doyang-Pangti region – Nagaland was declared as The “Falcon Capital of the World” on November 6, 2013, he said.

Vedpal Singh, PCCF & CWLW, Nagaland, Suman WM Sivachar, DFO Wokha Forest Division & Doyang Plantation Division, Dr. R. Suresh from Wildlife Institute of India and other NGOs representatives also spoke at the commemoration programme.

A Report by Wildlife Institute of India on “Understanding the Amur Falcon- Their stopover sites in Nagaland and their Migratory Routes for Better Conservation Planning,” and Nagaland State Poster of State of India Bird Report” was also released on the occasion.

‘Hunting of Amur Falcons is the story of the past’
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Force, Dharmendra Prakash read out the message of Chandra Prakash Goyal, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.

In his message, Goyal commended the people of Nagaland and the State forest department for their exemplary work in conservation of Amur Falcon.

“Creation of mass awareness and the support of local Naga people brought about a change in their attitude towards hunting practices. The hunting of Amur Falcons is the story of the past. The engagement of local communities in falcon conservation has yielded positive results in conserving Amur Falcons,” he stated.

“The tracking study of the Amur Falcon has provided deeper insights into the migration of these incredible long-distance migrants. The study confirmed the significance of the North-East region specifically selected sites in Nagaland and Manipur as important stop-over sites for Amur Falcons on passage during their autumn migration,” Goyal stated.

He also stated that the true success of the Amur Falcon conservation is undoubtedly attributed to the local communities. The laudable efforts of the local communities in conserving Amur Falcon have been recognized internationally.”

“It is all because of the support of all Naga communities and NGOs it happened. I always feel I am part of Naga society and remember always the golden days I spent in my state Nagaland. This event of conservation movement we started is a golden movement in my life which I will remember till my last breath. God Bless,” stated M L Rao, former PCCF and HoFF, Nagaland in his message read at the commemoration day.

The Pangti village saga 
P. Thungchumo Shidio, president ‘Amur Falcon Roosting Area Union (AFRAU) Pangti village said that Pangti village is well known as the ‘Falcon Capital Of The World’.

“It is believed that Amur Falcons were seen since hundred years back during the time of our forefathers, and we used to call the Amur Falcons as ‘Eninum’ in our own Lotha language. During our childhood time, we also witnessed the Amur Falcons flying in the sky in search of flying termites in the evening but were recognised only after damming the Doyang river by Doyang Hydro Power Station (DHPS) under NEEPCO Lt. in 2000,” he said.

He said that the Amur Falcons arrives during 2nd week of October and stays till the end of November every year. The migratory birds, Amur Falcons were first spotted roosting at Tzuza Eryu, Pangti Village under Wokha District in 2001 in flock of thousands.

 And in the subsequent years, the flock gradually increased. But owing to the lack of awareness for conservation of wildlife, the villagers, being hunters in tradition started hunting the birds in commercial scale for sustenance from 2006 to 2012.

He said that following the exposure of the random killing of Amur Falcons till October 2012, awareness campaign for conservation and protection of the migratory birds were started on war footing in 2013 by the State Forest and Wildlife and various departments and NGOs like Conservation Trust, BNHS etc. involving entire community, Roosting Area Land Owners, Village Councils Churches etc.

Responding to the awareness campaign, the Roosting Area Land Owners, the Village Councils together with the entire community resolved to conserve and protect the Amur Falcons in Pangti Village and prohibited the killing of Amur Falcons in any form in 2013.

In recognition of efforts for conservation and protection of the Amur Falcons, Pangti Village has been conferred with various prestigious awards by the various agencies including, ‘The Meritorious Award 2014’ by the Department of Forest, Government of Nagaland, ‘The Governors Commendation Certificate’ by Government of Nagaland, ‘The Earth Heroes Award 2014′ by the Royal Banks of Scotland, `The Balipara Foundation Annual Award 2014’ by Government of Assam.