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11h ago

Assam Bans Unauthorised Drones Near Amur Falcon Roosts

The ban seeks to prevent drone collisions and panic flights that waste the birds' energy during their 20,000–22,000 km migration.

A flock of Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) flies over the Doyang in Wokha district of Nagaland, India, 10 November, 2018. Every year over a million of Amur falcons come to Nagaland for roosting before they fly off to Somalia, Kenya and South Africa. Apart from Nagaland a large number of Amur Falcons also roost in parts of Manipur, Meghalaya and Assam states. These migratory birds have one of the longest migration routes of all birds, doing up to 22,000 km in a year. Amur falcons are known to breed in southeast Russia and northern China and migrate west through India and across the Arabian Sea to southern Africa where they spend their winters, making a round-trip of at least 22,000 km every year, travelling between their breeding and wintering grounds.

Overview

  • The Assam Forest Department issued Office Order No. 323 on Friday, November 6, 2026, prohibiting unauthorised recreational, commercial and non‑essential drone flights, photography and videography around identified Amur falcon congregation and roosting sites.
  • State ministers and officials reported that more than 100,000 Amur falcons have arrived at Assam stopovers, with large concentrations at Umrangso in Dima Hasao and Dharamtul in Morigaon.
  • The order directs Divisional Forest Officers to identify and demarcate sensitive roosting areas, coordinate with district administrations and police, and declare and enforce temporary No‑Drone Zones as needed.
  • Conservation group Aaranyak pressed for the ban, welcomed the government order and has offered to run public awareness and sensitisation campaigns for visitors, photographers and local communities.
  • Officials warn that drone propellers and sudden disturbances can cause collisions or trigger panic flights that drain the falcons' energy, and they say the rule aims to balance wildlife protection with responsible birdwatching at sites such as Nagaland’s Doyang Reservoir.