Manipur Government Bans Hunting of Migratory Amur Falcons Amid Arrival of Birds

Imphal – In a significant move to protect wildlife, the Manipur government has imposed a total ban on the hunting, killing, or destruction of migratory Amur Falcon birds in light of their seasonal arrival in various districts. The Amur Falcon, known locally as “Akhuaipuina,” is now under strict protection as the state seeks to safeguard these migratory birds from illegal hunting activities.

The prohibition is enforced under Sections 50 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, making any hunting or selling of these birds a punishable offense. The government has directed the Noney district administration to issue specific prohibitory orders against hunting and to ensure the surrender of air guns within the district.

The official order reads, “In order to curb these illegal activities, there is a total ban on hunting, catching, killing, and selling of the migratory birds, including Amur Falcons, by anyone in the District and nearby surrounding areas with immediate effect.”

As part of the enforcement, the District Magistrate of Noney has ordered the deposit of all air guns with local village authorities, noting that the migratory birds have already begun to arrive and are expected to roost until the end of November. Areas affected by the ban include Longmai, Raengkhung, Awangkhul, Taobam, Khongsang, Rengpang, and several others within Noney district.

The authorities have set a deadline of October 25, 2024, for the submission of reports regarding the collection of air guns. The order warns that anyone found willfully violating these prohibitory measures will face legal consequences as per the laws of the land.

This initiative highlights the government’s commitment to wildlife conservation and the need to preserve the natural habitat of migratory birds in Manipur.