HAFLONG, Nov 1 - Thousands of people from various parts of the State and from the neighbouring State like Meghalaya watch lakhs of Amur falcon visiting Umrangso during the Falcon Festival held on October 31 and November 1.
Amur falcon is a small raptor of the falcon family. It breeds in south eastern and northern China before migrating in large flocks across India and over the Arabian sea to winter in South Africa. Umrangso is an industrial town in Dima Hasao district of Assam.
Earlier these birds were being killed for consumption but following the initiative taken by the Forest department of Dima Hasao and several NGOs including Blue Hills Society, the killing of these birds has come down and the people became more interested in watching the arrivals.
Keeping this in mind, the first ever Falcon Festival, the biggest festival in Dima Hasao, is being organised at Umrangso by Blue Hills Society in association with Wildlife Trust of India, Charities Aid Foundation, Dima Hasao Forest department and Dima Hasao district administration on October 31 and November 1, 2015.
On Saturday the event was attended by Devender Kumar, Addl Chief Secretary, Govt of Assam and OP Pandey, Chief Conservator of Forest and others officials from Dima Hasao district administration.
Later, on Sunday, S Viswasrao, Commander 22 sector, Bikash Brahma, PCCF, Borsing Bey, DFO, SA Division, Tunu Langthasa, DFO, FRS division and Anup Biswas, attended the event as the chief guest and guests of honour respectively. They gave away the prizes to the participants of drawing competition held in connection with the festival.
Talking to this correspondent Bikash Brahma, PCCF, said this phenomenon of visiting Amur falcon at Umrangso has come to notice of the Forest department three years back and we are constantly trying to protect them from being killed. Apart from deploying protection forces we are holding meetings, seminars and the festival like this year to create awareness among the public.
Jaitholal Hojai, Range in-charge Garampani Range talking to this correspondent said we are spending sleepless night to protect these winged guests who take rest in our place during their migration period for at least up to November 20.
