People killing or selling Amur falcons will be punished, warns Mokokchung DC

Our CorrespondentMokokchung, Oct. 27 (EMN): The Mokokchung district administration has warned that appropriate action would be initiated against any individual or group found hunting, trapping, killing or selling Amur falcons for food, or have the birds in their possession and otherwise. 

Following a report by Eastern Mirror about the raptors being shot down with airguns and catapults in the district, the deputy commissioner (DC) of Mokokchung had, on October 26, issued an order stating that the administration has ‘noted reports that some unscrupulous individuals have been hunting and trapping Amur falcons in Mokokchung district’.

The DC reminded that Amur falcons are protected under the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972, and that trapping, killing and selling these birds is a criminal offence punishable with up to three years of rigorous imprisonment or with INR 25,000 fine, or both. 

The DC went on to remind all the towns and villages of Mokokchung district that hunting wild animals and birds in any form is banned in the district, and that defaulters would be penalised as per section 9 and section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.