The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Peacock population spurts in parks

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Sunday, Jul 20, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Peacock population spurts in parks

Swathi.V

Captive breeding at zoological park pays off
Measures to penalise poachers yield results

Photo: Satish. H

Bold and beautiful: National parks within the city limits show substantial increase in peacock breeding. –

HYDERABAD: Less than three years after the Chief Minister expressed concern over the dwindling number of national birds, the city seems to have accomplished the impossible by showing significant increase in the population of the birds. Though no census has been conducted to officially confirm it, the three national parks within the city limits together with adjoining rural pockets have begun showing up substantial accretion to their peacock population.

“The number is especially high at two to three thousand in the Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali National Park spread over 3600 acres. Similar number roams the Mrugavani National Park while the same at the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National park may be around four to five hundred,” informs Ramana Reddy, the State Forest Range Officer and head of the anti-poaching squad at KBR Park.

He attributes the growing numbers to increasing awareness levels among general public as also to stringent action being taken by the department officials against the poachers. Diligent work by a few NGOs has contributed to a great extent. Captive breeding at Nehru Zoological Park and artificial breeding by CCMB too paid off. “We are making it a point to collect eggs wherever we find them and send them immediately for captive breeding,” he said.

Rain contributes

“Copious rains in the past few years have also made valuable contribution in terms of availability of food for the birds,” says Mahesh Agarwal, the General Secretary of Sahyog Organisation. Noting that there has been good rise in number of peacocks even in the residential localities, he said measures to impose cases and penalties on poachers have yielded results. Alert calls from the conscientious citizens helped the growth significantly.

About 50 to 60 peacocks may be found in Mahendra Hills within Cantonment, while the number ranges between 200 and 250 near Kothur village of Ranga Reddy and over 400 at Keesara, Mr.Agarwal said.

However, poaching is still on at a few places, he said, and informed that four peacocks were seized in the recent past from Marredpally, Vidyanagar and Keesara areas. Meat of the bird is sold at Rs.350 per plate, he said.

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