AMUR FALCONS’ ROOSTING PLACE UNDER LONGLENG DISTRICT IN YAONGYIMCHEN COMMUNITY BIO-DIVERSITY CONSERVATION AREA

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]agaland has become known to the world on internet, websites and other international information media due to the congregation of the Amur Falcons. While a lot of intriguing publicity is attracting the people of the world, there needs to explore the congregation of the Amur Falcons in different parts of Nagaland.
Undeniably the Amur Falcons budge in many parts of Nagaland every evening. While there might be several Roosting Places in different parts of Nagaland, under Longleng District, Yaongyimchen Community Bio-Diversity Conservation Area which covers forest area of Nyangchi, Awakung, Owaü, Akchang covering some hundreds of Hectares of area had been passionately targeted to be their Roosting Place. The Area has been sheltering the Amur Falcons for the last few years. However, there is a spectacular increase this year, perhaps 4-5 times more than the previous years. Community believes that the sudden spectacular increase this year is because of the awareness created and also restriction imposed by the District Administration, Tuensang Forest Division and the Village Councils in their respective villages.The initiatives towards conservation of Forest and wildlife started in 2009 during the Citizen’s General meeting and again in 2011 during its General session, the Community reiterated the resolution adopted, and decided to make the Conservation and Preservation concept more relevant to the Community. After a Committee started sensitizing its entire citizens to get conceptualize the Issue of Community Conservation and get the entire community practically involve, a consensus decision of the Citizens resolved towards establishing a Yaongyimchen Community Bio-Diversity Conservation Area which was inaugurated on 19th December, 2012 through Shri. Alemtemshi Jamir (IAS), former Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland.
With the Amur Falcons Roosting in its Conservation Area, the Yaongyimchen and Alayong Community deploy 6 volunteers every day to tour the Community Conservation Area along the Roosting site. It is imperative to mention that through the Community’s initiatives, a Watch Tower has been built which was inaugurated by Shri. Kocha Meyase (IFS), Conservator of Forest Wild Life, Government of Nagaland. The Movement of the Amur Falcons can be viewed from two sites which provide a conducive and perfect setting the entire day. The Falcons remains in its roosting site till 2:30 P.M. and then the entire flocks disburses to different parts of Nagaland and returns to its Roosting Place at 4:30 -5:30 P.M.
If not more, the Roosting Place in Yaongyimchen Community Bio-Diversity Conservation Area sheltered not less than couple of lakhs Amur Falcons this year. While there might be other food substance, definitely the Amur Falcons feeds on flying termite which comes out from the underneath ground during the evening in the Area. Forest department lauds the conservation initiatives by community led by Reverend Nuklu, an example to replicate in greater part of Nagaland.

Hemant Kamdi, IFS
Wildlife Warden, Kiphire