The migratory bird Amur Falcon has finally started appearing at Old Aree village of Wokha district. Villagers of Old Aree village informed that the birds started arriving in the second week of October.
Earlier, the Amur Falcons roosted at Pangti village area but since 2021, it has started to roost at Old Aree village.
Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, Liponthung Lotha, Chairman of Old Aree village mentioned, “The Amur Falcons started roosting in our village area in 2021. This time about 3000 to 4000 of Amur falcons are roosting 4 to 5 km away from the village,” mentioned Lotha.
When the migratory birds were first spotted in 2021, Lotha informed, the Wildlife and Forest Department official visited the spot and assigned the Doyang Wokha Division Forester, and since then, the Forester guards the falcons till their departure.
Inorder to protect the birds, the villagers have also set up the ‘Amur Falcon Protection Scout’ compromising of 14 members. With the roosting of the Amur Falcons in their area, Old Aree village have also started witnessing a significant number of tourists, both domestic and foreign in recent years.
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“Some of the tourist who have visited our village to watch the Migratory birds are from Thailand, South Indian, German and many more. Even this year, a team of tourist from Germany are expected to visit,” stated Lotha. One of the concerns shared by the Village Chairman was the lack of good roads which is a huge problem faced by the visitors/tourists.
On the protection of the Amur Falcons, Lotha stated, “The villagers have unanimously resolved to stick to the 2021 Resolution of protecting the Amur Falcons.”
This year, the Old Aree village have also added two more resolution that includes: Tourist and Travellers can visit, watch the birds and go apart from that, they are prohibited from foraging in the jungle for medicinal herbs without any permission from the concerned villagers. The second resolution allows picnickers are allows to fish in the streams and rivers using traditional methods however the use of harmful chemicals, explosives, gun are totally banned.
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“The tourists/visitors are denied access to the roosting place through the river. They are also not allowed to go too close to the roosting place as it may disturb or scare the birds away, for which posters, banners and signboard are put up in various locations for awareness. Till now, that’s how our work is going on to protect the Amur Falcon,” asserted Lotha.
Lastly, the Village Chairman reminded all the visitors to follow and honor the resolutions inorder to avoid penalty, as there are certain fines for those who do not comply with the regulations. “Everyone should come together and work together to protect the Birds,” appealed Lotha.
After roosting for several weeks, the raptors will take off by the third week of November flying over the Arabian Sea to finally winter in South Africa.
