More than 100,000 Amur falcons arrive at key sites in Assam

More than 100,000 Amur falcons have arrived at key sites in Assam, including Umrangso in Dima Hasao and Dharamtul in Morigaon. The birds are stopping in Assam during their annual migration from East Asia towards southern Africa. Visitors have been urged to avoid disturbing them. Conservation group Aaranyak has called on local authorities to establish strict drone-free buffer zones around the sites and take action against unauthorised drone operators. Drones can disturb the birds’ resting and feeding and create a risk of collisions or panic among flocks.

Notable Points

• Umrangso Falcon Festival, 2015: Umrangso’s first Falcon Festival was held on 31 October–1 November 2015 at the Karbi Club ground. It was held in association with the Blue Hills Society, Wildlife Trust of India and Charities Aid Foundation-India as a conservation-awareness event.
• Amur falcon conservation at Pangti: Mass trapping of Amur falcons at Pangti village in Nagaland was reported in 2012, followed by a campaign to prevent further killing. A study suggested that strong local leadership and shared responsibility among village institutions helped change attitudes toward conservation.
• Amur falcons and migratory dragonflies: The Amur falcon’s Arabian Sea migration coincides with the migration of the dragonfly Pantala flavescens. The dragonfly is thought to provide food during this difficult part of the journey.