IT News
Tml, Nov 4, 2019 : Forest and Environment Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar said that the migratory bird ‘Amur Falcon’ has put Tamenglong district in the global map.
He said the forest, wildlife, sanctuaries and water bodies are the real assets for the district. He was speaking at the opening function of the 5th Amur Falcon Festival celebrated at the Unity Stadium, Tamenglong. The festival was jointly organised by the Tamenglong Forest Division, the Rainforest Club Tamenglong and Tamenglong Baptist Church.
Lauding the villagers of the district, he said that the conservation initiative taken up by the locals is a testimony to the fact that villagers are committed for wildlife conservation. Speaking on the jhum cultivation, he said the Govt is working towards providing alternative livelihood to the villagers. This year the department will send proposal to Centre seeking around Rs 30 crore (Rupees thirty crore) as financial assistance for hill districts. The fund will be utilised to initiate various developmental programmes in hill districts.
The Minister also stated that he will consult with Hon’ble Chief Minister regarding the need to start the conservation process of Hornbills which are found abundantly in Raengkikilong under Tousem sub-division.
Armstrong Pame, Deputy Commissioner, Tamenglong, highlighted the steps of the district administration on conservation initiatives of Amur Falcon and the necessity to conserve Hornbill bird in the district. He announced that 500 hectares of land has been declared as community forest. He also informed that other villages are convinced to come forward together for set up of more community villages.
DC informed that annual Orange Festival will be held for three days from 13 December, 2019. He said this time orange cultivation has increased. A group of 1,000 choir member will be singing gospel song ‘Hallelujah’ which will be the highlight of the festival.
The Rainforest Club Tamenglong submitted a memorandum demanding separate wildlife division for Tamenglong, increase forest staff by recruiting local youths, provide alternative livelihood for those dependent on jhum cultivation and logging forest products, promotion of eco-tourism, conservation and protection of Amur Falcon in Tamenglong beyond protection of the roosting sites.
PCCF and HoFF K. Angami showed his gratitude to the people of Tamenglong and Noney districts for their initiatives in protection, conservation of Amur Falcon, giving safe passage to them in their stay in the district for a month. On the other hand, he requested the villagers to extend support to the Forest Department officials.
This year, Dr Suresh Kumar and his team from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun have satellite tagged five Amur Falcons namely Puching, Irang, Barak, Phalong and Chiulon.
