Tamenglong, Sept 18:   In a move to protect migratory Amur falcons, authorities in Manipur’s Tamenglong district have imposed a total ban on hunting, capturing, killing, and selling of the birds, officials reported on Wednesday. The district also instructed locals to surrender their air guns to village authorities to ensure the birds’ safety during their seasonal stay.

These falcons, known locally as ‘Kahuaipuina’ (Falco amurensis), undertake a remarkable journey, traveling up to 22,000 kilometers annually from eastern Asia to South Africa. They usually arrive in Tamenglong and nearby areas in early October and remain until the end of November.

Tamenglong District Magistrate L. Angshim Dangshawa issued an order emphasizing the importance of this period in the falcons’ migration, calling for all air guns in the district to be handed over to village authorities. The guns will be held in custody until the falcons complete their stay, with village authorities expected to report the collection of firearms by September 30.

Efforts to raise awareness, such as the ‘Amur Falcon Dance Festival’ organized by forest authorities and local clubs, have previously been held to promote conservation. Wildlife experts explained that these birds migrate from southeastern Siberia and northern China to northeastern India before continuing their journey to Africa.

Local officials, forest authorities, and animal advocates in Tamenglong and nearby Senapati districts take measures every year to protect the Amur falcons. Nagaland, which borders Manipur, plays a critical role as a stopover for the birds, where large numbers rest before continuing their migration.

Nagaland officials highlighted the birds’ ecological importance in controlling pest populations and pollinating plants. The state has seen significant conservation success since 2013, with near-zero casualties among the falcons following efforts to reduce hunting.

The Amur falcon is protected under India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, making hunting or possessing these birds a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison. Prior to these conservation efforts, thousands of birds were hunted annually, but local awareness campaigns have since fostered their protection.

These efforts have also boosted eco-tourism, attracting visitors to watch the falcons in key areas like Wokha in Nagaland, where hundreds of thousands of birds gather during their migration.