Number of Amur Falcons, which arrived in a small group (50-60) in Doyang area October 1 last, has reached 10-15 thousand as reported Wednesday by patrolling squad engaged by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and ‘Natural Nagas’, a non-governmental organization.
According to Steve Odyuo, chairman of ‘Natural Nagas’, awareness campaign and activities of the WTI, ‘Natural Nagas’ and forest department so far seemed to show positive results as no reports of hunting and trapping came in during these eight-nine days of the birds’ stay in Doyang area.
A series of awareness campaign involving the Church, students and village councils have so far been undertaken with very positive results, said chairman of ‘Natural Nagas’.
Another positive sign, Odyuo said was the sighting of flocks of water birds in and around the water body flying free.
Meanwhile, one-day awareness campaign on Conservation of Amur Falcons would be organised October 11 by Pangti village council, supported by WTI, ‘Natural Nagas’ and department of forest.
The latest campaign would have multiple events like screening of Wildlife Films, power point presentation of the activities of the WTI, ‘Natural Nagas’ and forest department, distribution of pamphlets, performances by singers from Wokha, Kohima etc, putting up posters in and around the Amur Falcon bearing area, getting feed backs from the effected people, which would be targeted at all the age groups of the village.
The day long event would be a campaign to meet the people and come face to face with the ground realities. All the neighboring villages have been invited to participate in the awareness campaign.
Awareness programme: Sungro Range Youth Welfare Organisation (SRYWO) in collaboration with the department of forest, government of Nagaland organized one day awareness programme on ‘Conservation and safe passage of Amur falcons in Nagaland’ on October 5 at Ashaa Village, DHEP Wokha.
Village authorities submitted a petition to the minister for forest for resumption of works at Polytechnic institute at Sungro, setting up of forest beat office and appointment of forest guards from the surrounding villages.
Speakers at the programme included forest minister Y Patton’s personal secretary Hachio Patton, CCF and chief wildlife warden T Lotha, Sunil Kayrong from the Wild life Trust of India, chairman of Natural Nagas Steve Odyuo, N Janbemo Humtsoe from Green Foundation Nagaland and EAC HQ, Wokha Shaying Sheu. During the programme, Jali Yinga cultural troupe presented folk dance while CM Kyong presented a special number.