Thousands of migratory Amur Falcons have arrived for roosting at Pangti village in Nagaland where an awareness drive to save these winter visitors from being hunted has yielded positive results.
The falcons (Falco amurensis) travelling from Siberia are expected to roost in this village of Wokha district for over a month before proceeding to Africa, Wildlife Trust of India said today.
"The Amur Falcons have arrived and were sighted from October 1. Initially, around 50-60 birds were sighted but the numbers have gone up to a couple of thousands now. More are expected to arrive. No hunting or trapping has been reported indicating that our efforts are making an impact," Steve Oduyo of 'Natural Nagas', a wildlife conservation organisation, said.
Other rare water birds have also been seen sighted around Doyang reservoir, Oduyo said.
WTI's Yuri Pator, who is in Pangti to oversee the activities, said, "After talking to the villagers and council members, I feel positive that this year the falcons will be safe and there is sufficient awareness in and around these three villages to ensure that the falcons continue their journey to Africa", he added.
Unlike earlier seasons when the Amur Falcons were hunted in large numbers, this year saw local protection groups enforcing resolutions by village councils to save these birds.
Following reports about the falcons being hunted in large numbers last year, a Rapid Action Project (RAP) was undertaken by the Natural Nagas and WTI to assist the state Forest Department in their endeavour to protect them.
