Green Foundation Wokha, Nagaland (GFWN) Wednesday appealed to all the people of Wokha, Mokokchung and Zunheboto to stop “illegal trapping, hunting and massacre of Amur falcons in the state”.
In a press release, GFWN general secretary Hayibemo Ezung and PRO Zachamo Ezung while lauding DC Wokha for imposing a ban on trapping and sale of migratory birds in the district, requested responsible authorities in all the affected districts to impose a ban on such illegal practice.
GFWN also asked the authority to seek immediate attention of the state chief wildlife warden to take stock of the situation as Amur falcon (Falco amurensis) was a protected bird under Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and Convention of Migratory Species.
GFWN reminded that every year, during the months of October and November thousands of Amur falcons come to Nagaland from Siberia en route to their final destination — Somalia, Kenya and South Africa having one of the longest migration routes of all birds traveling up to 22,000 km in a year.
The foundation said these annual migrations of falcons has tremendous potentials to promote nature tourism in the state but it was “disheartening” to see several thousands of such birds being “captured every year through nets or hunted through air rifle or catapults to be sold in every streets and markets for a few rupees of money”.