Hi all,
Last November you may remember me writing about the situation in India in regards to the mass slaughter of a wonderful bird of prey called the Amur Falcon, if you don't remember then here is the link to that discussion.
I have an update for everyone direct from our International team. On the 27th of August this year the "Friends of the Amur Falcon" campaign was launched . This is a comprehensive campaign to protect the Amur Falcons that migrate through Nagaland every winter and will include nature education, creation of Amur Falcon EcoClubs, patrolling and enforcement, as well as scientific study of the birds. The idea is to educate children of the village about the birds and how wonderful they are, they will attempt to make the falcons a "mascot" for the community, something to be upheld and honoured and this can be ran alongside more traditional methods of conservation.
In a message of support, the Chief Minister of Nagaland Mr. Neiphiu Rio stated “The state government is committed to end the unfortunate killings of the migratory Amur Falcons in Nagaland while they are passing through the state. Further Mr. Rio added, “It is our duty to protect the Amur Falcons and, in true Naga tradition of hospitality, treat them as honoured and esteemed guests”.
The local administration (Deputy Commissioner) as well as the Department of Forests, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife will be stepping up vigilance to prevent any hunting this season.
This news has already filtered out into the press and the RSPB will clearly be supporting our Birdlife Partner the Bombay Natural History Society to aid this project which in turn will help all the other various partners linked to this project and this is something we are very proud of.
Lets hope this October the migration goes smoothly for these birds and for the first time in many years they can make it peacefully
Excellent news - I saw hundreds of these cute little falcons in South Africa during their winter stay there.
"Let loose the Kraken!"
Thanks Stuart!
Here is a further update for everyone concerned, it seems that during the peak migration this year not one Amur Falcon was killed, a real result i'd say and great work by the RSPB through their Birdlife Partners - Bombay Natural History Society and Conservation India!
www.wildlifeextra.com/.../amur-falcons-wti.html
That's fantastic news, Ben! I suggest we repopulate Malta with some of these more enlightened people.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
It is so good to get such good news. Thank you Ben. Hear hear to that Clare
Great news, not only are they cute, they eat a shedload of grasshoppers/locusts too. Persuade the farmers of the benefits and they'll be protecting them pretty quickly.
Brilliantly put Clare!!
Action for Amurs brings hope for an end to hunting in Nagaland
A year ago we brought you the shocking news of a hunting massacre taking place in Nagaland, India, which BNHS (BirdLife in India) had been alerted to by colleagues from the campaigning NGO - Conservation India.
Tens of thousands of migrating Amur Falcons Falco amurensis were being trapped at a reservoir at Doyang and then being taken to local markets alive, or killed and smoked, for sale as food.
Online news articles and a graphic video of the atrocity were quick to spread via social media. Many individuals from across the world responded generously to the international appeal we launched.
We are delighted to be able to report today that our appeal was an outstanding success. Robust conservation actions have now been put in place with the funds raised and action to ensure the prevention of illegal hunting of Amur’s this year has been completely successful. A long-term community outreach campaign has also been initiated.
As a result, the tens of thousands of Amur’s that visited Doyang reservoir this year were able to do so in peace and most have now passed safely on through Northern India and continued their migration on route to Southern Africa. This spectacular site, getting perhaps a million Amur Falcons in passage, is slated to be declared as an Important Bird Area.
The BirdLife International Partnership would like to thank all who joined forces to make this happen!
From the outset BNHS was quick to take action and many other BirdLife Partners showed their support by joining the campaign too. Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan - the Indian Minister for Environment & Forests personally intervened and the Indian Forest Department and District Administration were also swift to act.
Last year, nets were destroyed, captured birds were released, the sale of falcons was stopped and arrests were made. Plans were then put in place to ensure the atrocity would not be repeated this year.
Preparation for the return of the Amur’s this autumn has been comprehensive. BNHS has coordinated a widespread campaign of action that has been primarily implemented locally by Nagaland Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Trust. Others supporting and monitoring these efforts include WCS India, Raptor Research and Conservation Foundation and WildLife Conservation Trust.
Specific actions this year have included staff employed to patrol the area and act as ambassadors within the community. Locals from Pangti, Asha, Sungro, Doyang villages in Nagaland have also been employed to start eco-clubs which target students with a powerful conservation message. The local Government Forest Department has also been patrolling the roost areas.
The Deputy Commissioner of the Wokha Police committed his forces to respond as needed and enforce the law rapidly when necessary. Local government also issued a timely anti-hunting order.
Long-term community action plans have also been established in Nagaland through the church, schools and other local groups.
Action started in September with a ‘train the trainer’ programme for teachers and church leaders.
An innovative Eco-club programme was set up for children at Doyang, Pangti, Asha, Sungro which has been enthusiastically received by the community. More than 70 children have enrolled and are participating actively. Additionally, BNHS is also engaged in advocacy in villages in Assam which have had some hunting of Amur Falcons. These villages include Habang, which is next to Habang IBA—chosen for its congregation of Amur Falcons, as well as the nearby Umro village on the Assam-Meghalaya border.
A comprehensive set of promotional and educational materials has been developed to support a local PR campaign.
Outreach activities will be continued for at least a further year with the hope that a gradual change can be brought about in the region that helps all live in greater harmony with their environment.
Brilliant job - congratulations to all concerned!
I read the report on Amur Falcons and was devastated. Wonderful news indeed.