Number of Amur falcons visiting Umrangsu continues to increase

A CORRESPONDENT

HAFLONG: There is good news for bird watchers and birds lovers. The number of Amur falcons visiting Umrangsu has been increasing every year. This implies that killing of birds has decreased remarkably, said Phomen Kemprai, Range Officer, Umrangsu Forest Range.

People used to kill these birds for flesh. There was no mass killing as people used air-gun or catapult. After a series of awareness campaigns along with the Forest Department's active participation, killing of these birds has almost stopped.

This year from October 10 they started roosting at Tungbung and adjacent places near Umrangsu reservoir. This is expected to continue till November 25. Visitors from neighbouring States like Meghalaya, Nagaland and bird lovers from Assam have been visiting the place to watch these unique raptors.

Range Officer Kemprai said that forest personnel along with battalions were doing patrolling duty in two shifts during the night hours so that no one could kill the birds during their roosting period. He also informed that the Chief Conservator of Forest, M Tungnung visited the roosting place and instructed forest personnel to keep vigil and also to provide possible help to the tourists visiting the place to watch the birds.

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