Migratory falcons spotted in Manipur’s Tamenglong district, patrolling for roosting sites intensified

These migratory visitors, locally known as ‘Kahuaipuina,’ arrive in northeastern India, particularly in Manipur and Nagaland, in large numbers during October. They are on their southbound migration from their breeding grounds in northern China, eastern Mongolia, and far eastern Russia. During their stopover, which lasts three to four weeks, the falcons build fat reserves by foraging on termites before continuing their journey to their wintering grounds in South Africa.

Last year, the forest department recorded around 1.41 lakh falcons at a single roosting site in Chuilon. This year, the district authorities, along with the forest department, are focusing on radio-tagging the birds. “We plan to radio-tag two falcons by the end of November, once they have built up sufficient fat reserves to avoid harming them. As for the census, it will be conducted every two years,” explained Kh. Hitlet.

Since the conservation campaign for the Amur Falcon began in 2016, hunting of the birds for their meat—previously done in large numbers—has decreased significantly. As part of this ongoing campaign, the district authorities have implemented various conservation measures and awareness programs annually.

In September, the district magistrate issued an order banning the use of all air guns and directing owners to deposit their hunting weapons at their respective village authority offices indefinitely.