If no disturbance is given to the birds, the return of the hornbills permanently to the area could become a reality, says Dimapur wildlife warden
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 7 (MExN): Wildlife Division, Dimapur informed on Thursday that the hornbill birds sighted at Tenemtsuyong forest area at Khar village under Mokokchung district are Wreathed Hornbills.
The species of the six hornbill sighted in the densely forested area of Khar village was identified after staff of Dimapur Wildlife Division were deputed to confirm the reported sighting.
On January 3, Khar Village Council had reported that six hornbill, in three pairs were sighted in their forest area, after more than three decades. Accordingly, the village council had also served prohibitory orders banning shooting of the birds.
A press statement received from Wildlife Warden, Dimapur Wildlife Division, K Caroline said its forest staff was deputed on duty to Mangkolemba on January 5 for ground observation to confirm the presence of the hornbill birds reportedly sighted by the locals of the area.
The team went to Tenemtzuyong forest area along the route to Khar village where the locals had earlier sighted the hornbills. However, the team did not see the birds that day. But reliable information and tail feathers found in the area confirmed their presence and the species of hornbill.
According to Dimapur wildlife division, the whole length of the tail feather retrieved from the area was fully white, which is a distinct identifying characteristic of Wreathed Hornbill from other hornbill species found in Northeast India.
It also observed that the reason for the arrival of the hornbills in the area was most likely in search of food resource and nesting cavities as their breeding season was approaching near.
The topography of the forest area where the hornbills were sighted is virgin forest with steep cliffs, which is known to be the favored haunt of the hornbill birds. Therefore, if proper safety and no disturbance is given to the birds, the return of the hornbills permanently to the area could become a reality,” the press statement said.
Further, in line with the effort of the administration of Mangkolemba sub division to ban the locals from hunting, Wildlife Warden, Dimapur has also discouraged the locals from hunting the hornbills.
It also reminded that hornbills fall under Schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and persons hunting such animals and birds can be imprisoned up to 7 years with fine of up to Rs 25, 000.
There have been reports that initially more hornbill birds were sighted from the forested area. One of the birds reportedly was shot down by hunters from an adjoining village on December 30, 2015, Khar Village Council Chairman when contacted said.
It is learnt that the carcass of the hornbill was reportedly seized from the hunter and handed over to the Forest department.
ADC Mangkolemba, Wapang Aier said the ban on hunting of hornbill birds has been imposed on the three ranges falling under Mangkolemba sub division namely-Changkikong, Japukong and Tzurangkong which comprises of around 40 villages.
