EMN
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 22
Nagaland Forest Department organised one of its kind Singing Competition in Pangti village on November 21 in which a series of enthralling traditional songs were belted out by the groups with great gusto on the theme “Sing for the Amurs”.
The judges for the competition were Imtienla Ao, IFS, Secretary of Forest, Govt. of Nagaland, and Chumren Khuvung, Superintendent of Police, Wokha. The programme, chaired by DFO Doyang Plantation Division, ended with thanks to the Almighty by the pastors of Pangti Baptist Church and AG Church. The chairman of Pangti Village Council delivered the welcome address. The competition began with exuberant participation from 10 groups from the villages of Pangti, Ashaa and Sungro, as well as by the Amur Falcon Roosting Area Union, the protection squad and Sungro Eco-club. All the groups sang about the spectacular marathon migrants who migrate over the waters and are our guests for a short while. The groups sang the legacy about the Amur falcons also known as Enenum/ Elelum/ Volelum in Lotha dialect that had been coming since the time of their ancestors. One group sang about the gifts of national and international fame that the majestic Amurs have bestowed upon Nagaland and Pangti village. Some songs conveyed the people’s gratitude to the Amur falcons and their wishes for a safe journey for these migratory birds as they fly away from Pangti to Africa.
The first prize went to Khel-C of Pangti village, second prize to Sungro village and third prize to Khel-D of Pangti village. Consolation prizes and special prizes were also given to encourage them all.
Finally, the vote of thanks was proposed by Zanthungo Shitiri, President (AFRAU). Gratitude was expressed to the Nagaland Forest Department including the Intanki Armed Protection Force and various NGOs like Natural Nagas, WTI and NWBCT who have been whole heartedly working for Amur Falcon conservation in these parts.
The programme marked the end of the Amur season with about 50,000 birds yet to leave Nagaland for Africa. The two satellite tagged birds ‘Naga’ and ‘Pangti’ moved out of Nagaland a few days back and ‘Naga’ has already entered Somalia, Africa, while ‘Pangti’ was in Telangana on November 19. The great news was shared with the locals who were gathered in the community hall that was not big enough to accommodate the number of people who turned up in overwhelming numbers to participate in and witness the singing competition. The programme concluded with the people reaffirming their decision to protect and conserve the Amur falcons.
