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Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Nov. 25 (EMN): The much-touted Amur falcon roosting site in Pangti area under Wokha district wore a deserted look this year with no sign of visitors unlike in the past which used to be frequented by people from various parts of the country.
The people of the area have been restricting visitors from entering the otherwise tourist spot for two consecutive years now to express resentment over the state government’s apathy towards the road leading to the roosting site. It was also reported that the government had sanctioned a road project on the nomenclature ‘Amur falcon roosting site’ but it never saw the light of day.
In a tete-a-tete with this newspaper, Amur falcon activist Chumbemo Ngullie felt that the government should give priority to the road which now lies in a dilapidated condition. He opined that good road would reflect the face of Nagaland and not only Wokha district in the eyes of both domestic and international tourists.
It may be mentioned that Amur falcon conservation campaign began following reports of its mass slaughter and subsequent warning served by the state government to the public of Pangti area. The conservation work was initiated by Sungro Range Youth Welfare Organisation.
During the period, activists like Ngullie and Steve Odyuo along with organisations such as Wildlife Trust of India and Natural Nagas came together to conserve the majestic migratory raptors. The activists also conducted several motivational meetings with public leaders from different villages in the area.
It was on October 8, 2013, during a public meeting at Ashaa village, that the community unanimously resolved to protect the winged guests and the state was subsequently declared falcon capital of the world by Nick Williams, Head of Co-ordinating Unit of the Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia.