The Manipur government has prohibited hunting of Amur falcons (Falcon amurensis), locally known as akhuaipuina, with immediate effect.
The Tamenglong district administration on Saturday issued an order banning hunting, catching, killing and selling of Amur falcons.
The Tamenglong Deputy Commissioner in the order stated that hunting, killing and destruction of wildlife, including migratory birds Amur falcons, for food or possession or otherwise is a punishable under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The order comes close on the heels of the arrival of a large number of Amur falcons, which are capable of flying the longest distance at one go, in the Northeastern states, including the Tamenglong district of Manipur, as part of their annual migration regime.
Terming that their roosting period in Northeast till the end of November is “crucial in the life cycle of Amur falcons,” the order also asked the authorities of 36 villages to strictly monitor the implementation of the directive.
Last year, the district administration banned the use of airguns and directed the residents to deposit them to the village authorities to give safe passage to the winged guests.
These pigeon-sized migratory birds left their breeding ground in China in mid-September this year, on their way to the wintering grounds in South Africa.
They start their journey back in April-May through Afghanistan and East Asia, undertaking an annual journey of about 20,000 km.