Wokha, November 4 (MExN): An awareness programme on Amur Falcon was organised by Wokha Forest Division on November 3, at DC Conference Hall, Wokha with SP Tripathi, IFS, PCCF & Chief Wildlife Warden as the chief guest.
According to a press release received here, the District Administration, Lotha Hoho, Amur Falcon Roosting Area Union (AFRAU), Natural Nagas and village council representatives and VDB secretaries of 12 villages (Pangti, Okotso, Wokha, New Wokha, Longsa, Longsachung, Aree Old, Area New, Riphyim Old, Riphyim New, Changsu Old and Changsu New) attended the programme.
Tripathi, in his speech opined that because of the successful conservation of Amur Falcons since 2013, Nagaland has earned fame on an international scale and has been declared as the “Falcon Capital of the World”. He attributed it to excellent efforts and cooperation by the Lotha community especially the Pangti people on whose lands the Amurs roost as well as co-ordination received by the Forest Department in the highest form from the District Administration and Police and other NGOs. However, he lamented that adequate support could not be given to the people due to lack of funds but assured that the Department would continue to extend assistance in whatever way possible.
Dr. Prabhat Kumar, IFS, DFO Doyang Plantation Division, in a comprehensive powerpoint presentation described the characteristics and behaviour of the Amur falcons, their conservation and highlighted all the activities undertaken by the Nagaland Forest Department, Village Councils, NGOs like AFRAU, WTI, Natural Nagas, etc. thereby leading to zero killing of Amur falcons in Wokha District each year since 2013.
DC Wokha, Wezope Kenye, spoke on the successful conservation of Amur falcons and encouraged the people to continue the good work. A member of Amur Falcon Roosting Area Union informed the gathering said that the number of Amur falcons arriving at Pangti has increased to lakhs.
Two documentaries – “The Hunt” by BBC and “Nagaland is changing but...” by Gurmeet Sapal and produced by the Nagaland Forest Department were also screened.
The programme began with invocation by Zurenthung Lotha, Forester I & Deacon, Wokha Village Baptist Church. The chairperson of the programme, Zuthunglo Patton, IFS, DFO Wokha, welcomed the gathering and requested the participants to keep an open mind and to prepare themselves to take back and implement all the learning from the programme.
In acknowledgement of their untiring efforts in protecting the Amur falcons, the Pangti Village Council and the AFRAU were presented with solar lamps to help them in their patrolling duties at night at the Roosting Site. The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Lansothung Lotha, RFO Doyang, and benediction by Smti. Maya Lotha, UDA Doyang.
