By Francis Khongwar
Shillong ( Meghalaya ), Nov 8 : The Them Tyrso Women’s Welfare Association in collaboration with Tyrso Valley Wildlife Protection Society will organize the Amur Falcon Festival on Nov 12 and 13 at Umtngam village in Ri Bhoi District.
The festival aims to create an awareness among the public not to kill the Siberian migratory birds that visit Ri Bhoi District every year during the autumn season.
Umru village is located only 35 kilometers from the Shillong by-pass under Bhoirymbong C&RD Block in Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya.
Amur Falcons make their way from South Africa before they arrive in North East India from Siberia en route to their final destination Somalia, Kenya and South Africa.
They have one of the longest migration routes upto 22, 000 kilometers in a year.
They usually flock to Umru and Tyrso village in Ri Bhoi district along their migratory route before they fly to their next destination in Nagaland.
The birds arrive in these villages in Ri Bhoi district between October and November every year.
The birds are unusual in that they migrate a large distance over the sea and also continue their journey at night.
