Amur falcon

About Amur falcon: 

• It is a small raptor of the falcon family.
• Locally known as Akhuipuina, the bird arrives mainly in Manipur and Nagaland.
• They breed in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China and migrate long distances in large flocks to winter in Southern and East Africa.
• The one-way journey via India is about 20,000 km long and the birds do this twice a year.
• Conservation efforts:
  • It is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and included under its Schedule IV.
  • Hunting of the birds or possessing its meat is punishable with imprisonment up to three years or a fine upto 25,000 or with bonds.
  • In 2018, the forest department started a conservation programme by radio-tagging the birds to study their migratory route.
  • IUCN: Least Concern.
• Threats: Illegal trapping and killing during migration,habitat loss from agricultural practices and land reclamation.

Q1) What is the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

It is an important piece of legislation in India aimed at conserving and protecting the country's wildlife and biodiversity. This act was enacted to provide legal mechanisms for the protection, preservation, and sustainable management of wildlife and their habitats in India.

Source: Manipur to conduct census of Amur falcon, world’s longest travelling raptors