Nagaland's Pangti village declared 'silence zone' for safe sojurn of migratory Amur falcons

Guwahati: With the migratory Amur Falcon birds already starting to arrive at Pangti, a remote village in Nagaland's Wokha district, for their annual roosting, the district administration on Monday declared three-kilometers around the village as temporary "silence zone" for safe passage of the fowls.

Every October, flocks of Amur falcons from Siberia start landing at the tiny Pangti, which over the years, have earned the distinction of being "Falcon Capital of the World."

Tens of thousands of these small raptors ( Falco amurensis ) frolic in the village for about two months before they head for warmer climes in Kenya and South Africa in a non-stop flight over the Arabian Sea.

The order, issued by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, Renbomo Ezung on Monday emphasized that the importance of continuing safe passage for the migratory birds, which are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), to which India is a signatory.

"To minimize disturbances, the roosting site at Pangti has been officially declared a temporary silence zone within a 3-kilometer radius for the duration of the migration season. Scientific studies have shown that high-intensity sound can induce fear in wild birds, potentially causing them to abandon their habitat and disrupting vital communication linked to reproduction and survival."

Officials said villagers have been asked not to burst crackers or play loud music in and around Pangti during the roosting period of the Amur Falcons.

Nagaland government earlier issued orders prohibiting hunting and even warned that government grants and assistance to villages involved in the killing or harming of Amur Falcons would be subject to review and possible curtailment. Pangti also becomes a tourist attraction due to the annual stopover.

"In light of this, all activities that may cause disturbance to the Amur Falcons, whether at the roosting site or elsewhere in the district are strictly prohibited with immediate effect. The district administration urges all citizens, communities, and visitors to cooperate in preserving this unique ecological phenomenon and to uphold Nagaland’s global reputation for successful wildlife conservation."