Amur Falcon returns but Mokokchung locals welcome them with guns and catapults

Mokokchung: Amur Falcons, the migratory birds from Siberia, who roost annually in Nagaland's Wokha and Longleng districts were sighted after a gap of many years in Mokokchung.

Sadly the people started gunning them down for their meat. Air guns and catapults were being used to shoot them down On October 25, people were trying to shoot these migratory birds indiscriminately. Dr Sentitula, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Mokokchung said that the department will issue a notice to urge people to protect these birds. Hunting is banned in the district, she said.

Amur Falcons, who are protected under the Wild Life Protection Act 1972, were being observed by the forest department personnel since last week. They are trying to determine if the birds are roosting or crossing after being spotted at Impur, Alichen, and Alempang ward.

Dr Sentitula said that it is a good sign if the birds are roosting, as they are returning now after there was a mass slaughter a few years ago.

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