Manipur: Orders issued to protect Amur Falcons

Amur Falcons are long distance migratory birds. They arrive in Manipur and Nagaland for roosting. They are Siberian birds that reach the North East for about two months at the onset of winter. After winter, they leave for South Africa. They traverse over 29,000 km migratory route between Siberia and South Africa.

Key Highlights

In October 2019, around five birds were satellite tagged. These satellite tagged birds have reached to Manipur village again in 2020 after traversing 29,000 km. The satellite tagging project was begun after mass killing of the birds in 2015. With the funds from Wildlife Institute of India and Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change, the Manipur forest Department is implementing the project.

In 2019, around 10 Amur Falcons were satellite tagged. Of these, one was shot dead before it left Manipur. Some others were untraceable. Only two with satellite tags have reached back.

Manipur Government Order

The State Government of Manipur has issued order that hunting, sale of Amur Falcons and rearing are banned in the state. People violating the order are liable to be punished under Manipur Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Falcon Capital of the world

Doyang Lake in Nagaland is also a stop over to the birds. Thus, Nagaland is known as the “Falcon Capital of the world”.

International Union for Conservation of Nature

The IUCN status of the birds is “Least Concern”. They are protected under the “Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972”. They are also protected under the Convention on Migratory Species to which India is a signatory.

About Amur Falcon

The Amur Falcons spend around three to four weeks in India. They build up fat reserves by foraging on termites that emerge during this time. Thus, this stoppage is highly important for the birds as they then fly non-stop for more than six days to cross Arabian sea.

The Amur Falcon get their name from the tenth longest river of the world called the Amur river. The river forms border between China and Russia.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020