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Nagaland gained much notoriety for a number of years for hunting Amur falcons for the purpose of consumption as well as commercial sale, inviting public outcry and negative media attention from across the globe. However, the mass killing of the winged guests stopped dramatically through extensive public awareness campaigns and the concerted efforts of general population. The once hunters of the exotic bird became its protectors and the hunting ground turned into a safe haven in a short span of time, winning much acclaim from people across the world. It was in fact an incredible turnaround, an inspiration and an act worth emulating. The state was eventually declared the falcon capital of the world by Nick Williams, Head of the Co-ordinating Unit of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MoU).
This year these little raptors made its short sojourn in Nagaland, thousands of them have already arrived. Reports have surfaced that these birds that usually roost annually in Wokha and Longleng districts in flocks, have been sighted in Mokokchung district too after many years, but they were reportedly welcomed with catapults and airguns. This sad development has forced the Mokokchung district administration issue a circular, warning the people that strict action would be taken against anyone found hunting, trapping, killing or selling the bird for food. The authorities have also reminded the public that Amur falcons are protected under the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972. Well, every single soul in the state must be aware of the ban on hunting of wild animals and birds by now, especially after the backlash the state received for killing Amur falcons in the past and several incidents of people landing up in jail after flaunting their killings on social media. If some citizens still choose to stick to their old bad habits despite all the awareness campaigns, it’s nothing but inviting trouble as killing wild animals and birds, including Amur falcon is a criminal offence punishable for up to three years of rigorous imprisonment or with fine, or both.
Everyone is equal before the eyes of the law and the defaulters should be penalised but an enduring solution to this menace can be brought about only when the citizens start conserving wildlife for their own well-being and not from fear of the law. Undoing the gains of protecting the majestic raptors for years now will prove costly for the state in more ways than one. We should stop disturbing Amur falcons, forget about killing. Its annual visit should be welcomed and celebrated. We should also protect all kinds of animals and birds in the same spirit. Conserving the already depleted wildlife population and nature is now more important than ever, and that is the only way to avoid another Covid-19 like pandemic, which experts say is a possible outcome of gross abuse of nature for centuries by human beings. This underlines the importance of maintaining a natural balance in the ecosystem. We should protect nature to protect ourselves.