Jorhat, Nov. 7: The department of environment, forests and climate change in Nagaland, today released a special postal cover, in association with the postal department of the Centre, to commemorate the second anniversary of satellite-tagging of Amur falcons in the state.

The principal chief conservator of forests and head of the forest force of Nagaland, M. Lokeswara Rao, narrated how three Amur falcons - Naga, Pangti and Wokha - had been satellite tagged on November 7, 2013, and had covered 44,000km in their second cycle of migration to arrive on October 29 at Doyang valley in Nagaland, where a million falcons roosted for about a month before flying back.

While the migratory route of Naga and Pangti, both of which features on the commemorative cover, could be tracked, the satellite device on Wokha had most likely fallen off in 2014 and it could not be identified from among the millions.

Upto 2012, thousands of Amur falcons were massacred in the valley for meat and feathers, but after an international hue and cry ensued after the publication of photos of the massacre on social media, the people of Pangti village in the valley took a pledge to protect the birds when they arrived.

Rao regarded the day as historic as satellite tagging was carried out for the first time in India. "The Nagaland government approached the postal department to design the cover, showing the two birds and the migratory route over which they flew on a map, besides releasing a special postal cover to commemorate the occasion," Rao said.

The principal secretary (forest), N.N. Zhasa, said it was a proud moment and a fitting recognition to the community for the great conservation initiative.

Nagaland forest minister Nicky Kire, who was the chief guest at the event, released the special cover in the presence of postmaster-general, Shillong, I. Pangernungsang.

Senior officers of the forest department, scientists from Wildlife Institute of India and representatives from Pangti village and Amur Falcon Roosting Association were also present at the event.

Kire said international scientists had found that the largest number, about one million of these birds, roosted during winter at Doyang Valley and that was why Nagaland was declared as the "falcon capital of the world".

"The release of the commemorative stamp is a historic moment for us. Nagaland now features on the world map because of the success of the conservation story," he added.