Gujarat to follow Nagaland model of conservation: report

An Amur falcon in flight in Pangti Village under Wokha district. The village, situated close to the Doyang reservoir was known for large scale hunting of the birds. However, after concerted efforts by all stakeholders, the place has become a safe haven for the longest travelling raptors in the world.  (Morung Photo by Manen Aier)

Morung Express News

Dimapur | February 4

The Gujarat forest department plans to replicate Nagaland’s success in conserving Amur falcons at Gujarat’s only Ramsar Site, Nalsarovar, where poaching of birds is rampant, The Times of India reported on Tuesday. 

“UNESCO’s Ramsar convention, named after the Iranian city where the convention was signed in 1971, seeks to protect wetlands of international importance,” the report said.  

Once hunted, the falcons are now being diligently conserved with local participation in Nagaland, it added. 

Wildlife Institute of India’s R Suresh Kumar — who is part of the Amur Falcon project in Nagaland, according the report said that tagging of birds has produced positive results. 

“After we realized that the falcons were being hunted in large numbers, we began satellite-tagging them,” he was quoted as saying, and the birds were also given a local name, that of a village in the vicinity, to instil a sense of ownership among the people.

When the birds returned, villagers were able to track their movements and the locals began conserving the falcons and poaching has almost ended, he added.  

Quoting a senior officer from the Gujarat forest department, the report informed that the same model will be used in Nalsarovar. 

“Flamingos and other migratory birds will be tagged, and the birds will be named after villages or the most respected persons in the villages,” it said adding, “the department is hopeful that this will help in conservation efforts.”