Imphal, May 16: In a major boost to community-led wildlife conservation efforts in Northeast India, two satellite-tagged Amur Falcons that spent over four months in their non-breeding grounds in Southern Africa have begun their spring migration back to their breeding regions in Far-East Asia via India.
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| Map showing the migration route of satellite-tagged Amur Falcons from Tamenglong, Manipur, to Southern Africa and back, as part of the Manipur Amur Falcon Tracking Project Phase 2. The tagged falcon “Alang” is currently crossing the Arabian Sea during its return journey to Far-East Asia. (Image: X/byadavbjp) |
As part of ongoing conservation initiatives, three Amur Falcons were satellite-tagged in November 2025 at their stopover site in Chiuluan village of Tamenglong district, Manipur.
According to officials associated with the project, the migratory birds undertake one of the most remarkable journeys in the avian world. While travelling from Somalia to Northeast India, the falcons complete a non-stop flight of nearly 6,000 kilometres in about six days.
One of the tagged young female falcons, named “Alang”, is currently crossing the Arabian Sea after departing from Somalia early yesterday morning. Researchers said favourable tailwinds are expected to help the bird complete the sea crossing in approximately three days without stopping.
The conservation and tracking project has been supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and is being recognised as one of India’s successful community-led conservation models.
Experts said the satellite-tagging programme has generated valuable scientific insights into the migration behaviour of the Amur Falcon, a small raptor known for its extraordinary long-distance trans-hemispheric migration.
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The data collected through the project is expected to further strengthen conservation planning and habitat management for the species across its migratory route.
Amur Falcons are known to arrive annually in large numbers in parts of Northeast India, particularly Nagaland and Manipur, during their migration season. Conservation awareness campaigns in recent years have played a key role in protecting the birds and transforming former hunting areas into conservation sites.
