Lok Sabha Question No. 4225 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-28
Subject: Killing of Peacocks
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4225

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

## Killing of Peacocks

## 4225.     SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that killing of the National Bird is on the rise in the country and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has conducted any study to find out the reasons for the rise in the said incident, if so, the details and outcome thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  Peacock  is  the  only  bird  whose  feathers  are allowed to be sold as there is no ban on collecting and selling feathers shed by the bird;
- (d) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  bring  some  regulation/  guidelines  in  this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken to check killing of the National Bird by poachers in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) and (b) Reports of poaching of peacocks have been received in the Ministry from time to  time.  The  management and protection of wildlife like birds and  animals  is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State/ Union Territory Governments. Information on death of peacocks in the States/Union Territories is not collated in the Ministry.

Presently, no specific study to assess the killings of peacocks in the country has been  carried  out  by  the  Ministry.  However,  a  study  was  carried  out  by TRAAFIC-India, on 'Understanding the Peafowl Feather Trade in India: 201415'. The following are the important outcomes of the study:

- i. The volume of Peafowl feather trade was high and peafowl poached or killed by poisoning was also high.
- ii. Use of peacock tail feathers and body parts in medical prescriptions.
- iii. Monetary profit makes a primary driver for large scale trade of peafowl feather across India
4. (c)  and (d) The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 exempts transfer and trade of tail feather of  peacock  and  animal  article  or  trophies  made  therefrom.  As  of  now, guidelines/regulations in this regard are not contemplated.
5. (e) The  important  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  protection  of  peacocks include:
- i. The  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  provides  for  punishment  for violation of its provisions. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment,  vehicle  or  weapon  that  is  used  for  committing  wildlife offence(s).
- ii. Law enforcement authorities  in  the  States  maintain  strict  vigil  against poaching of peacocks.
- iii. Wildlife  Crime  Control  Bureau  has  been  set  up  to  gather  intelligence about poaching and unlawful trade in wild animals and animal articles, including  peacocks, and  to achieve  inter-state  and  trans-boundary coordination in enforcement of wildlife laws.
- iv. The State/Union Territory Governments have been requested to strengthen  the  field  formations  and  intensify  patrolling  in  and  around Protected Areas.
- v. Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been created all over the country under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to conserve wild animals and their habitats. Five Protected Areas have been created especially for the conservation of peacocks.
- vi. Financial assistance is provided to the State/Union Territory Governments  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  of  'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats', 'Project Tiger' and 'Project Elephant', for providing better protection to wildlife including peacock, and improvement of habitat.