Green Foundation Wokha, has expressed concern over the statement by the Amur Falcon Roosting Area Union (AFRAU) Pangti that they will stop protecting the endangered bird species within the area if the demand were not met by the government.
In this regard, Green Foundation director N. Jambemo Humtsoe and secretary media and publicity M. Zachamo Ezung highlighted how efforts of individuals, groups, villagers and state government had led to the successful conservation of Amur Falcons. Therefore, any attempt to undo the “protection efforts” would be costly for both the birds and people of the state, it said.
GF also said that since Amur Falcons forage or roost at numerous locations in north east India conservation efforts require collective participation throughout the region.
Highlighting the achievements of Pangti village and its surrounding areas, such as in protecting the birds and sacrificing lands for Doyang Hydro project; GF maintained it was incumbent upon the state government and NEEPCO to provide basic amenities in return such as- good roads, electricity and water supply. GF pointed out that before construction of Chubi bridge, people had to travel by ferry for many years as all roads to connecting the villages were submerged.
Further, GF also said people in the area faced pressures to conserve Amur Falcon from shifting cultivation in order to ensure the area was free from human interferences for sustainable conservation of the birds.
As these lands were agricultural lands, there was need to provide alternative livelihood and occupation to the affected, in order to protect the forest.
These were the price which the community around the hydro project had to pay for economic development of the state. Therefore, GF urged upon the state government to examine these concerns and to initiate appropriate policy measures.
Enlightening the public about the benefits of conservation, GF said it was like taking care of one’s own health or saving money. It said Amur Falcon conservation was one such initiated which has put Nagaland and the north east in the international spotlight.
It was due to the success of the project that more tourists are visiting Nagaland and in return these improve the welfare of the state and its people.
Hence, any attempt to inhibit tourism or potential investors will only harm the local community, it added.
GF reminded that Amur Falcon is a protected species under the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) of which India too is a signatory since 1983 and obligated to protect the birds from all sorts of hunting, trapping or killing. In the light of this fact, GF urged upon the state government and in particular, the Forest department to protect the birds under any circumstances during their brief stay in Nagaland and also appealed to all citizens in the state to join hands for providing safe passage to the winged guests.