Image of 5th Edition of Falcon Festival 2019
Haflong, November 16, 2020: In a bid to boost
tourism in Dima Hasao district, the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council in
collaboration with Dima Hasao Tourist department, Dima Hasao Forest department,
District Information & public relation department, Falcon Festival
Organizing Committee, Blue Hills society(NGO) and Haplou (NGO) is organizing
the six edition of the Falcon festival on 21st and 22nd of November at Golf
Course near Tumbung village at Umrongso in Assam’s Dima Hasao district.
The two day festival aims at creating
awareness about Amur falcons (Falco amurensis), the longest travelling
migratory birds that roost in large flocks during the last week of October and
in November every year.
Hundreds of birds lovers from various part of
the state have started thronging Tumbung village and tourists are also seen
camping at the golf course since the Amur falcons began arriving.
Earlier, due to lack of awareness, these
migratory birds were killed for sport, fun and meat.
The killings stopped after awareness
campaigns were launched by the forest department, NGOs and social activists on
providing safe passage to the migratory birds.
The forest department has deployed its staff
in the roosting area for round-the-clock vigil to provide safety to the birds.
The two days festival will host beat contest
for local bands, beauty pageant and cultural programs displaying the tribes
living in Dima Hasao district. The festival will also organize a competition
for school students, however this year due to Covid pandemic the said programs
will only be participates by locals.
The fest will include ethnic stalls
displaying tribal attire and ornaments. During the festival one can also enjoy
unique and lip smacking tribal cuisines.
Inside the fest area, plastic material such
as glass, plates etc. will not be allowed and the organization has also
encourage to use bio-degradable material and the locals who have been promoting
bio- degradable material will be awarded.
Amur falcon, a small raptor of the falcon
family, breeds in south-eastern Siberia and northern China and migrates in
large flocks in winter across India and over the Arabian Sea to South Africa.
These migratory birds from Siberia and China stop at Umrongso during their
annual journey to South Africa.
The males are dark grey with reddish brown
thighs and under-tail coverts, reddish orange eye-ring and feet. Females are
duller above, with dark scaly markings on white underparts, an orange eye ring
and legs. Only a pale wash of rufous is visible on their thighs and undertail
coverts.
Their diet mainly comrpises insects, such as
termites. During their migratory period over the sea, they are believe to feed
on migrating dragonflies.
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