Maharashtra: Forest department bans photography of the Amur falcon

Amur falcons migrate from Mongolia to South Africa over the Arabian Sea and India. Representational pic

With people crowding the Lonavala ghats to snap the migratory bird Amur falcon, the forest department has banned photography at the site fearing that the presence of too many spectators might disturb the species.

Pictures of the sighting of the raptor at Lonavala ghats recently went viral on social media. They also showed a large number of nature lovers jostling to click the birds.

Avian experts and a few wildlife lovers had slammed what they called "irresponsible" behaviour and demanded that the state imposed curbs on photography.

Amur falcons start from Mongolia to South Africa over the Arabian Sea and India.

Birder Aadesh Shivkar said the sighting at Lonavala could be due to its pleasant weather compared to other plains and less risk from predators. He also said there are chances that these species might have ended their journey as there is ample food and that it is already too late for them to complete the remaining leg of their migration.

However, Shivkar is not all that happy with the blanket ban on photography. "The department should regulate the activity with the help of its officials. Nature and wildlife loving villagers should be trained and involved in this process so that it becomes a win-win situation for everyone as they will also be able to earn livelihoods."

Conservation photographer Nayan Khankolkar differed. "There must be many such locations in the area and one needs to find out that. The way people were crowding was not right. The area is also said to be the winter ground for lesser kestrels which are a far more important species. The forest department had to intervene."

Calling the sighting a proud moment for Maharashtra, Shivkar termed the ban unfair. He said the government should create an opportunity from this seemingly undesired situation by involving all stakeholders. "It can be a great model of community conservation and research."