Manipur Forest Department, in a first in the state, would be carrying out a head count of Amur Falcons in Zeliangrong-Naga dominated Tamenglong district where maximum of the birds roost.  The exercise is part of its upcoming string of programmes to safeguard and protect Amur falcons.

Notably, the first batch of the small-sized raptors numbering around 20 /30 have landed in Tamenglong as locals on Friday witnessed them hovering in skies overhead a jungle close to the district headquarters.

Locally known as Akhuaipuina, the long-distance migratory birds usually land in Manipur, mostly in Tamenglong and neighbouring Nagaland in mid-October from their breeding grounds in Northern China and South Eastern Siberia, wildlife experts said.

After roosting for a little more than a month, the falcons depart the state and fly towards the Southern and Eastern parts of Africa and flock for a short time before flying towards their breeding grounds, they added.

 “We have engaged a prominent NGO from the state to conduct an Amur falcon census on the spots (roosting sites). They will carry out the headcount when the birds completely arrive in Tamenglong,” said the Divisional Forest Officer of the Zeliangrong Naga-dominated district, Amandeep on Friday.

Generally, the number of birds flocked in the district varied from one roosting site to another, he said, adding that at some points, over 5,000 falcons roosted while more than 50,000 were seen flocking at other roosting sites, he added.

“Once the census is conducted, we will maintain data on their (falcons) arrival,” Amandeep continued.

The district’s forest unit as well as Rainforest Club Tamenglong (RCT) are all set to hold a series of programmes jointly to spread awareness among the villages, mostly the youths, to protect and show their love to the winged guest during their stint.

Barely a week after the District Magistrate of Tamenglong, L Angshim Dangshawa released an order, banning hunting, catching, killing and selling of the birds and using of air guns during the raptors’ roosting period, his Noney counterpart, Joseph Pauline Kamson, issued similar order on Friday.

RCT Secretary Ramhiamang Gonmei said that most of the birds usually flock in large numbers in the forest along the Barak and Irang rivers.

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