Flying Free: Save the Amur Falcon

Umrangso, Assam shot into limelight when several reports from the region confirmed hunting of Amur Falcons in large numbers for their meat. This became a serious cause of concern for WTI which had played a pivotal role in mobilising communities in Nagaland in their commitment of not hunting Amur falcons. The project immediately swung into action and was successful in bringing down the hunting of Amur falcons in Umrangso. An Amur Falcon Festival was held to promote the conservation of the species and also provide an opportunity for the local community to benefit from their annual migration, economically. Various cultural events were organised as part of the festival. Bird watching was arranged at roosting sites and discussions were made on Amur falcon and its importance with the school children. The fest strengthened the belief in people’s mind that the stopping of the hunting of the falcons and conserving the region’s wildlife is a cause to be celebrated and that theirs is success story to be told to the world.

WTI’s Amur Falcon conservation project in Wokha, Nagaland could not have its success (zero mortality of falcons in last three years), without the help of the local communities i.e. Lotha tribe. Villagers from the three villages Pangti, Asha and Sungro became the guardians of this migrant raptor.

On request of local villagers of Pangti (VCM) and to take our good work towards another level of conservation of Amur falcon, an interpretation centre cum guest house to cater the tourist inflow in the migrating months of Amur Falcon is being conceptualized. This land for which will be provided by the villagers in Pangti) will aim to provide vital information about the specie, the local history of the place and about the work carried out by the communities and organizations so far towards conserving the falcons. The guest house will cater to tourists, birder’s, researchers visiting Doyang. Both the interpretation centre and guest house will be run by the local VCM’s and the earning will be utilized for self sustaining this building and strengthening community support. This will integrate the conservation action with possibility of revenue generation for local tourism by developing niche tourism.

The construction work of a country boat for protecting Amur falcon roosting sites in Doyang reservoir, Nagaland is going on. The country boat will help to patrol the inaccessible areas of Doyang reservoir. The Amur Falcon protection squad will be able to patrol the roosting sites located around the reservoir with the help of country boat. Field gears like T-shirts, Caps and Torches have been provided to the members of Amur falcon protection squad for better patrolling and monitoring of the area.These activities will eventually help the patrolling team in monitoring the area and thereby help in protecting the amur falcons.

Doyang hydro-electric project reservoir in Wokha district, which hosts the raptors in tens of thousands and is believed to be the single largest aggregation of Amur falcons recorded in India. The field gears provided to the Amur falcon protection squads will aid them in their patrolling duties.  We hope that these activities will ensure the sustained conservation of Amur falcons in Doyang Reservoir, Nagaland in the years to come.