District declares 3-km Silence Zone to protect Amur Falcons during migration season
In a renewed effort to safeguard the globally significant congregation of Amur Falcons, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, has issued a public order reiterating Nagaland’s status as the Falcon Capital of the World. The recognition stems from the world’s largest annual gathering of Amur Falcons at Pangti Village, Wokha District, during the months of October and November.
The order, issued by Additional Deputy Commissioner Renbomo Ezung, NCS, underscores the need to ensure safe passage for the migratory birds, which are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), to which India is a signatory.
To minimize disturbance, the roosting site at Pangti has been declared a temporary ‘Silence Zone’ within a 3-kilometre radius for the duration of the migration season. Scientific studies have shown that high-intensity sound can cause stress and disorientation among wild birds, forcing them to abandon habitats and disrupting critical communication linked to survival and reproduction.
The order also recalled the directive issued by the Chief Secretary of Nagaland (vide No. CSO/1/GEN/2013 dated 12th June 2013), warning that government grants or assistance to villages found harming or killing Amur Falcons would be reviewed or curtailed.
The Wokha district administration has strictly prohibited all activities that could disturb the Amur Falcons, whether at the roosting sites or elsewhere in the district. It urged citizens, communities, and visitors to cooperate in preserving this unique ecological event and uphold Nagaland’s global reputation for wildlife conservation.
