Guwahati:Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang has asked the State Forest Department, Tourism Department and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) to make a comprehensive conservation action plan to save the Amur falcons and declare the area as a tourist hot spot.
Addressing a gathering at the Amur falcons roosting site in Wokha district of the state on Sunday, the CM appreciated the conservation efforts of WTI, State Forest Department, Village Councils and the villagers for protecting this magnificent raptor.
Along with the CM, state Home Minister Y Patton also acknowledged the role of WTI, Pangti Council and Forest Department in stopping the killings of the Amur falcons that congregate in the state in large numbers.
Vivek Menon, Executive Director, WTI, said, ‘We are thankful and grateful to the CM of Nagaland for acknowledging WTI’s efforts in conserving Amur falcons in Nagaland. For the last two years we have been trying to stop the mass hunting of these birds and our efforts have paid off.’
The CM visited the roosting sites of Amur falcons near Wokha. Zuthunglo Patton, DFO, Doyang, briefed the CM and other top officials about the conservation plan.
She said, ‘The State Forest Department, WTI, Village Councils and Amur Falcon Roosting Areas Union (AFRAU) have carried out extensive conservation plan in the past. being compulsive hunters, the success of Amur falcon conservation has put Nagaland on the global map.’
Briefing the dignitaries, Mr Deori added that WTI will also carry out activities on human-elephant conflict mitigation and put in efforts to preserve the natural heritage of Nagaland. (UNI)
