NONGPOH, Nov 7: Stage is set for the well-known Amur Falcon Festival 2021 as dates of the event have been announced, and footfall is expected to be significant, especially in view of the de-escalating COVID-19 scenario in the state.
The festival will be hosted by the Tyrso Valley Wildlife Protection Society in collaboration with the Them Tyrso Women Welfare Association at Umru village on November 12 and 13. Located at a distance of 35 kilometres from Shillong Bypass, Umru village falls under the Bhoirymbong C&RD Block in the border area of Ri Bhoi.
The festival is expected to attract scores of visitors.
The name of the festival bears significance to the migratory birds, Amur falcon, which is originally a breed of south eastern-Siberia before migrating in large flocks over the Arabian Sea to India, and subsequently to Umru village in Meghalaya.
These raptors usually arrive at Umru in the month of October-November and rest there for a few weeks before continuing their journey to other countries and continents.
It is worth mentioning here that the Amur Falcon is given due importance in Nagaland, too. Chief Minister of Nagaland had earlier declared the state as the capital of Amur Falcon since the Northeastern state is the birds’ final destination before flying back to their native place.
Speaking to the media, general secretary of the Tyrso Valley Wildlife Protection Society, Alos Nongpoh, informed that the society generally organises this festival every year, but in the past two years, the festival could not be held due to the pandemic.
This year, however, a decision has been taken to organise the festival with the objective to preserve the migrating birds and create mass awareness against killing these raptors, Nongpoh said.
The festival also aims to recognise the village as one of the tourist hotspots in the state so as to showcase these rare migratory birds visiting the state once a year, besides the natural beauty and landscape of the place.
