Question : AMUR FALCONS

(a) whether any action plan has been formulated by the Government to support the measures being taken by civil society groups and conservationists in Nagaland to protect the ‘Amur Falcons’ migratory birds, particularly in their natural habitat at Doyang reservoir in Wokha district, Nagaland;

(b) if so, the details of the plan and the likely funds required for the purpose; and

(c) the details of similar action plan on conservation measures for protecting migratory birds halting places in other parts of the North-East region as well as the rest of the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)and (b) The State Government of Nagaland has prepared an Action Plan for saving of Amur Falcons, a migratory bird, in the State. Important recommendations made in the Action Plan include identification and conservation/preservation of roosting sites with the involvement of the land owners, conducting awareness camps in all the identified roosting sites, incentives for conservation of identified roosting sites all over the States, declaration of ‘Closed Period’ during the in-flux, enforcement of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, enhancement of market raids and other measures to control illegal hunting, eco restoration / improvement of the degraded roosting sites through Afforestation and protection of roosting sites by weaning away ‘slash and burn’ cultivation. The Ministry has approved grant of Rs 50.89 lakh and released Rs. 40.71 lakh as assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ for taking up these activities.

(c) Important areas visited by the migratory birds in the country including North East region have been notified as protected areas under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. The Ministry provides assistance to the State governments for undertaking protection and conservation activities in wildlife habitats under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats”.