World · India Bureau
Assam bans drone flights near Amur falcon roosting sites
Assam has prohibited drone operations in areas where migratory Amur falcons congregate, citing concerns over disturbance to the protected raptors. The order comes as content creators and visitors have increasingly flown unmanned aircraft near the bird populations to capture social media content.
LSN India ·
The Assam government has issued a directive restricting drone operations in the vicinity of Amur falcon roosting sites across the state. The measure aims to protect the migratory birds from potential harassment and disturbance caused by unmanned aerial vehicles.
Reports indicate that visitors and social media content creators have been flying drones in close proximity to concentrations of Amur falcons, seeking photographs and videos for online platforms. The activity has raised concerns among wildlife authorities about the impact on the birds' behaviour and well-being during their roosting periods.
Amur falcons are highly migratory raptors that travel between their breeding grounds in Russia and wintering grounds in southern Africa, passing through India during their migration. Assam's wetlands and forests serve as crucial stopover and roosting sites for large congregations of these birds, making the region ecologically significant for their conservation.
The restriction on drone flights represents an effort to balance tourism and recreational activities with wildlife protection. Wildlife officials emphasize the importance of maintaining adequate distances from bird populations to prevent stress-induced disruptions to their natural behaviours and migration patterns.
The order applies to areas designated as roosting sites for Amur falcons throughout Assam, with authorities expected to enforce the prohibition through monitoring and awareness campaigns among visitors and recreation enthusiasts.