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
Another update for those interested! - timesofindia.indiatimes.com/.../27390599.cms