• Migration: Breeds in Eastern Russia and China, migrates across Asia, and winters in Southern Africa.
• Distance: Annual migration of approximately 22,000 km.
Significance of Nagaland
• Roosting Site: Nagaland hosts the largest known roosting site for Amur Falcons, with over 1 million birds recorded.
• Biodiversity: The falcon roosting site is a unique and irreplaceable part of Nagaland’s biodiversity.
Conservation Efforts in Nagaland
2012 Mass Harvest Exposure
• Incident: Graphic videos revealed the mass hunting of Amur Falcons in Nagaland.
• Response: Swift implementation of protective measures by the Indian government.
Protective Measures
• Forest Protection Force: Deployed to patrol roost areas, seize nets, and release captured falcons.
• Awareness Campaigns: Conducted by the Nagaland Forest Department and NGOs, involving community and religious leaders.
• Eco-Clubs: National Green Corps program provided scientific presentations, movie screenings, and story-telling to educate the youth.
Community Involvement
• Marathon: ‘Save the Amur Falcon Marathon’ held on October 19, 2013, to raise awareness.
• Patrolling: Continuous patrolling by the Forest Protection Force since the arrival of the falcons.
Satellite Tagging and Research
Joint Initiative
• Collaboration: Nagaland Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India, MME/BirdLife Hungary, and Raptors MOU.
• Objective: Capture and tag three Amur Falcons with satellite transmitters to study their migration and ecology.
• Insights: The project aims to provide new information on the Amur Falcons’ stay in Nagaland and their journey to Africa.
Conclusion
The conservation efforts in Nagaland have transformed it into the “Falcon Capital of the World,” ensuring the protection and survival of the Amur Falcons during their crucial stopover.
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