Manipur celebrates Amur Falcon festival in Tamenglong

IMPHAL — With an objective to spread awareness about protection and conservation of the Amur Falcon, the world’s longest flying migratory bird, the eight edition of the Amur Falcon Festival was held at Tamenglong district headquarters, 150 km west of Imphal today.

Tamenglong forest division, in collaboration with Rainforest Club Tamenglong and Wildlife Trust of India, organised this year’s observation with the first ever census of Amur Falcon at one roosting site in the district.

The day-long festival is generally celebrated in the first or second week of November to strengthen human-nature relationship and acknowledge the importance of this small raptor in the lives of people in the region. It was first organised in 2015.

Tamengong district’s deputy commissioner, Dr. L Angshim Dangshawa; chief executive officer (ADC of Tamenglong), Kachamthai Feiga Gangmei; and Tamenglong divisional forest officer, Amandeep, attended the festival. The president of Wildlife Explorer Manipur, Kh Brajesh Kumar, along with Tamenglong sub-divisional officer, Meidinbui Dichong’ and wildlife warden, Nahemiah Panmeialso, were present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Dangshawa stated that the urge for Amur Falcon conservation must come from within for effective protecting of the winged guests.

Stating that the people are blessed to have the migratory bird Amur Falcon (Akhuaipuina), he appealed to the people at the roosting villages to continue giving cooperation and support to protect and preserve the migratory bird.

To the students, he said the student should inculcate while they are young to protect and preserve migratory bird Akhuaipuina.

In his keynote address, Tamenglong DFO, Amandeep, mentioned that in order to protect and preserve the migratory bird, volunteers have started with patrolling of roosting sites at Barak river valley in Chiuluan village every day since October 15.

“This year has been very special for them as the challenges of protection and conservation has increased many fold in lights of new development taking place,” DFO said.

He also appeal to the public, civil society organisations, clubs, students and everyone to discourage hunting and also to support and coordinate with the forest department for the protection of Amur Falcon.

“Let all of us make effort to save Amur Falcon and provide them safe and secure passage in their journey of thousand miles to African continent,” he added saying, “The department will conduct satellite radio tagging of two birds next year.”

Phalong (Bhalok) dance troupe performed a traditional dance to welcome all the guests and participants of the 8th Amur Falcon festival 2023, while Puching women society presented beautiful “Akhuaipuina” dance.

Also read: Manipur gears up for migratory Amur falcons, its winged guests