EMN
Dimapur, October 11
Forest department in collaboration with Pangti village council and Amur Falcon Roasting Area Union conducted “Welcome the incredible Amur falcons” programme in Pangti village council hall on October 10.M Lokeswara Rao, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, was the chief guest of the function, where the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, Robin Lotha, ASP, Wildlife Warden Dimapur, and Pangti Village Council chairman, Gaon Buras, Amur Falcon Roosting Association, NGOs and all villagers of Pangti and neighbouring villagers attended the programme.
The villagers presented the welcome song, while Miss Zuthongla Patton, DFO, Doyang Plantation Division, welcomed al the dignitaries to the programme.
Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, Robin Lotha, while addressing the gathering, appreciated the village communities for conservation of Amur Falcons and urged them to continue their work in coming season. He also appreciated the commendable work done by Forest department under the dynamic leadership of PCCF & HoFF.
M Lokeswara Rao donated Rs 25000 prize money of Tigerland Biodiversity Conservation Award 2015 received from Tiger land film festival to the chairman of Pangti Village Council and chairman of Amur Falcon Roosting Association for commendable work done by communities in protection of the Amur Falcon. He requested them to use the money for good purpose of conservation.
Informing that not a single bird was killed in 2013, M Lokeswara Rao appreciated the community for the conservation measures whereby it earned accolade both from the nation and international organisations as the “Falcon capital of the world.”
‘This is best example how communities can play a role in conservation. This model of conservation can be implemented elsewhere,’ he said and also emphasised on the eco tourism potential of area and how people could be benefited with the influx of tourists.
He informed that on November 7, 2013, during Lotha festival ‘Tokhu,’ day three birds were satellite tagged namely Naga, Pangti and Wokha. He said out of three birds, Wokha, is inactive and Naga and Pangti were active. Naga and Pangti completed second cycle of migration completing approximate distance of 44000 km.
To commemorate second anniversary of satellite tagging, Forest department, Nagaland, and the Department of Post, Government of India, would be releasing special cover on November 7. He has requested the village communities to continue good work and welcome the Amur falcons this season too.
