Centre to ban commerial trading of peacock feathers ……..Viju B
Mumbai: The countrys national bird,which is facing extinction because of rampant poaching for its plumes and meat,may get a fresh lease of life.The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) is drafting a proposal to ban any form of commercial trading of peacock feathers in the country.
While theres a ban on hunting and killing of peacock which is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,commercial trading of the birds feathers was allowed.Currently,the Act prohibits export of tail feathers or articles made from them.But,the Act allows domestic trade of feathers., said a senior MoEF official.
The official said that the decision to put a blanket ban on the trading of peacock feathers was taken following a slew of complaints from wild-life activists and citizens.
The loophole in the law resulted in massive poaching of peacocks.In many cases,the bird was poisoned so that its feathers could be plucked and sold in the open market, Dharmesh Solanki,a citybased animal activist,said.Pointing out that peacock feathers are openly sold in the market,especially in front of temples in south Mumbai,Solanki said,They can also be found in curio shops.
Peacocks are crucial components of the food chain.By feeding on insects and controlling weeds,they increase the nitrogen content of the soil, Solanki said.
More and more peacocks are being killed in villages that once venerated the bird.Incidents of locals poisoning waterholes to kill peacocks and deer for their meat in protected areas such as Melghat in Maharashtra have also come to light, the official added.
The ministry wants to amend Sections 43(3)( a) and 44 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972,which relate to the transfer and sale of peacock feathers, he said,adding,We are proposing a comprehensive ban on the sale,transfer and trade of feathers.