Satellite tagged Amur falcons, Chiulon and Irang reach Manipur

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Nov. 3 (EMN): Manipur Forest, Environment and Climate Change minister Awangbow Newmai on Tuesday said that the successful return of the two satellite tagged Amur falcons – Irang and Chiuluan – have put Manipur in the global map of wildlife conservation efforts.

Addressing a press conference at his office in Imphal, the minister said that it is a proud moment for the Manipur Forest department that the Amur falcons have returned after completing their marathon journey to its roosting site in Tamenglong district where the birds were radio tagged and released last year.

Stating that Manipur has set a successful example in the global conservation map, he said the state has shown the effort to protect and provide safe bases to the migratory birds.

For this, he credited the non-governmental organisations including Rainforest Club Tamenglong, villagers, district administration and media for their involvement in raising awareness regarding protection and conservation of the Amur falcons.

He said that the success story of the satellite tagging of the Amur falcons have ignited hope that the other wildlife projects like Hornbill project, Tiger project, among others, can also be successful. He assured that more conservation efforts will be carried out for the migratory birds and other endangered animals in the state.

Additional Principal Chief Conservation of Forest, Wildlife Dr. AK Joshi said the satellite tagging of the birds started in 2018 in Manipur, whereas in Nagaland it was started in 2013. He said that he is satisfied with the conservation effort and appealed to the general public to support the department for protection, preservation and conservation of the migratory bird.

India being a signatory to the Convention on Migratory Species, it is mandatory to provide Amur falcons safe passage and ensure their protection and conservation during their migration, he said.

Last year, a five-member team from the Wildlife institute of India had radio-tagged five Amur falcons including Chiulon and Irang- named after villages and rivers.

Though details of other birds are not available, Chiulon and Irang reached their roost sites near Barak and Irang Rivers in Tamenglong district, according to latest reports.

Amur falcons locally known as Akhuaipuina in Tamenglong, migrate to their wintering grounds in South Africa and usually arrive in October in Nagaland and Manipur besides a few other places in the northeast, undertaking a yearly journey of about 20,000 km. They leave the region in November after having enough food for their non-stop flight to Africa where they spend their winters.