Recollecting memoir of Amur Falcon Conservation

Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) is a small raptor belonging to falcon family (Falconidae). Its diet consists mainly of insects, such as beetles, grasshoppers and termites. Every October, a large number of Amur falcons arrive in northeast India especially Nagaland, from Siberia en route to their final destination — Somalia, Kenya and South Africa.

Though Amur Falcon is not an endangered species of bird, there has been a huge interest for the majestic bird species because of its migratory behaviour. During summer the raptor breeds in parts of South-eastern Siberia & Northern China. It undertakes a migration journey from this region all the way to Southern Africa to escape harsh winter and then returns to Siberia in summer. Amur falcons travel up to 22,000 km in a year, this being one of the longest migration routes of all birds. In the process the raptor is known to fly non-stop for three days over Indian Ocean covering a distance of over 5600 km. The congregation of millions of falcons at their communal roosting sites in southern Africa is said to be one of the most spectacular bird of prey phenomena in the world.

The raptor spends its day in search of food and settles on the trees for roosting during the night. This particular behavioural pattern of Amur Falcon was being exploited by the hunters by setting up huge fishing nets all over the roosting sites. It was reported in the past that around 15,000 birds were captured every day. Department with ample co-operation from administration, police, village authorities, churches, schools, NGOs, etc. has taken many initiatives for protection of Amur Falcons. Mass awareness, deployment of Forest Protection Force in the falcon roosting sites, regular patrolling along the highways, vehicle checking, market raids, etc are some of such initiatives. Department also has facilitated quality research in association with Wildlife Institute of India. Initially three birds had been fitted with satellite transmitters and were being monitored on day to day basis.  Twenty seven birds had been tagged with rings provided by Bombay Natural History Society at the same time. Subsequently, satellite tagging project expanded all across the Nagaland and received huge support from locals and globals.

Amur conservation initiatives taken up by the department and local community were being amply highlighted by the print and electronic media. This had negated the bad publicity the state had during past years and has created a niche for Nagaland in the realm of wildlife conservation. Organisations like MoEFCC, GoI, UNEP-CMS, BNHS and Birdlife International have appreciated the efforts of Government of Nagaland and the local community for their efforts in protecting the falcons and providing them safe passage.

The falcons were being mass harvested for short sighted economic benefits. Department had tried to communicate to the people that, as a society we are failing to foresee this congregation of Amur Falcons as a livelihood opportunity in terms of eco-tourism and ecosystem services of insect pest control leading to agriculture sustainability. The efforts are expected to be encashed to bring in resources necessary for overall development of the community and at the same time preserve the species in question.

The history of Amur Falcon conservation is unprecedented, unbelievable and there is no parallel to it globally. We are already into October and our brethren from Mongolia Siberia are about to land in Nagaland. We should pull out socks up and join hands to replicate such efforts now and forever because “Getting to top is not so easy; staying there is more difficult”

Kamdi Hemant Bhaskar, IFS

Conservator of Forests

Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change

Nagaland, Kohima.