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UPSC Prelims 2026 · Environment · Species Watch
Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct?
- It showcases how sustained local conservation efforts can contribute to the arrival and protection of international migratory birds.
- It reflects the global success of advanced tracking technologies that guide migratory birds back to their stopover sites.
- It confirms that Amur Falcons have adapted to permanent residency in India due to favourable habitat changes.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) 1 only
The story is community conservation.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ CORRECT In 2012 thousands were being trapped at Pangti; villages then banned hunting and now protect the roost — the falcons return safely every autumn.
2. ✗ WRONG Satellite tags TRACK the birds; they don’t guide them.
3. ✗ WRONG They only stop over in Oct–Nov on their way to southern Africa.
The idea
The Amur falcon is a small bird of prey that makes one of the longest migrations of any raptor. It only passes through India. Nagaland is its refuelling stop before a non-stop flight across the Arabian Sea.
Breeds in south-east Siberia and northern China → October–November: stops in Nagaland and feeds on termites → Flies across the Arabian Sea without stopping → Spends the winter in southern Africa → Returns north in spring
Why the others are wrong
(b) Treats tracking tags as navigation aids.
(c) Accepts guidance by tracking and permanent residence.
(d) Accepts permanent residence — they are passage migrants.
The trap
Satellite-tagged falcons were in the news, so statement 2 sounds plausible. Tracking watches — it doesn’t steer.
Also know
The villages around Doyang reservoir, especially Pangti, once caught the birds in huge numbers. After 2012 the village councils banned the hunt and former hunters became protectors, and the area is now called the falcon capital of the world.
🔒 Amur falcon: Mongolia/China → Nagaland (Doyang, Pangti) → southern Africa; ~22,000 km round trip.
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