At least five birds die of electrocution, pesticide poisoning each day in two Haryana districts; govt admits situation is alarming
At least five birds die of electrocution, pesticide poisoning each day in two Haryana districts; govt admits situation is alarming
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Narnaul district is known for the prevalence of peacocks, but there has been a spurt in the number of accidental deaths. This is taking a huge toll on the population of the national bird. In fact, the neighbouring district of Rewari is also reporting a marked increase in the number of peacock deaths.
Animal rights activist Naresh Kadyan pointed out that more than 150 birds had died of electrocution and pesticide poisoning in the two districts in January alone. "The number is alarming, yet very few cases are registered by the forest department. Apart from the newly-laid power distribution lines and high pesticide residue, poaching also poses a huge danger to the peafowl," he told MiD DAY.
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The MiD DAY report that exposed poaching of tigers in Arunachal Pradesh |
Worried villagers
MiD DAY reporters visitedu00a0 Mandi village in Narnaul district, 155 km away from Gurgaon, where the villagers are a worried lot. They used to start their day in the morning by feeding the peacocks that come by the dozen on their roofs. "The newly-laid separate feeder lines for domestic and farm use have become a death trap for the peacocks. We bury two-three birds every day," said Ranveer Singh, a Mandi resident.
The sarpanch of Mandi village, Vijay Kumar, rued the indifferent attitude of the authorities. "Two more peacocks were electrocuted on Sunday. We have an emotional bond with the national bird and whenever one dies, we bury it with all respect. We have lodged several complaints with the government as well as the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (DHBVN), but to no avail."
Haryana Forests Minister Captain Ajay Singh Yadav admitted that the situation was alarming. "This is a very serious problem. I get regular feedback on peacock deaths in the state. Though the official death toll is 43, I assume the numbers have gone up. I have directed senior officials to insulate the electric wires around the peacock habitat," he told MiD DAY over the phone.
Breeding centres
"We will establish peacock breeding centres on the lines of vulture breeding centres, as their number has substantially decreased in the rural areas. We have forwarded this proposal to the union ministry of environment and forests for approval," he added. According to the villagers, if DHBVN fails to initiate protective measures immediately, the bird will be staring at extinction in the area.
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Charred: Corpses of peacocks killed by electrocution in Haryana's Mandi village. Only seven percent of peacocks die of natural causes in the country |
Admitting the staggering increase in peacock deaths at Narnaul and Rewari districts, District Forest Officer (Narnaul) A P Pandey said, "We have registered only 14 deaths, so far. We have asked the electricity department to coat the electric wires."
Legal loophole
Though officials refused to talk,u00a0 Naresh Kadyan, the president of the UN-affiliated International Organisation for Animal Protection, said that Section 44 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, allows trade in peacock feathers and therefore, poachers operate with impunity. "The trade should immediately be banned," he said.
| National Animal In Danger Too |
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On January 25, a MiD DAY Expose brought out how tiger poaching was rampant in the country despite the government's claims aboutu00a0 anti-poaching measures. On January 7, a tiger was killed by villagers of Namuk, a village 30 km from Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh. Ironically, the tiger was killed by members of the Galo community, which considers the animal sacred. The villagers were tempted by the prospect of selling the tiger's skin for Rs 1 lakh. |
| The Other Side |
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While the villagers urged the DHBVN authorities to insulate the electricity supply wires expeditiously, the department rejected the notion that it was responsible for the fatal accidents. "So far, only one complaint has reached us and have taken appropriate action by putting plastic pipes over the wires. We will look into the incidents and see what we can do," said N K Verma, executive engineer, DHBVN. |
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>>About five per cent peacocks are killed for feathers and meat |
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