Peacock Numbers Improve At Adichunchangiri Sanctuary
BENGALUR: Peafowl numbers in Adichunchanagiri Peacock Sanctuary have increased significantly in recent years after their numbers dropped a few years ago.
The Sanctuary, spread over an area of about 80 acres, which was the abode of peacocks, disappeared after Adichunchanagiri Mutt, an influential religious institution, started many construction activities that disturbed the presence of peacocks. The mutt is attached to the Sanctuary in Mandya’s Nagamangala taluk.
Villagers surrounding the mutt told Deccan Chronicle on Thursday: “We don’t see peacocks very often on the hills. Earlier, we used to see peacocks perched on rocky rocks, but not anymore.” The villagers suspected that the construction activities undertaken by the Mutt might cause the peacocks to leave the area due to disturbances and settled in nearby villages/farms.
However, Prabhugouda Patil, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mysuru Wildlife department, said, “We have a large number of peacocks in the sanctuary. In fact, the numbers have improved/increased.” “There are too many peacocks,” DCF said.
A forest officer from Nagamangala district said: “Peacock population has increased even in urban areas. Peacock population is healthy in Adichunchanagiri peacock sanctuary.” “We may not see peacocks directly, but we (forest staff) come across peacocks in the sanctuary,” he added.
“Peacocks are also found in significant numbers in the villages of Adichunchanagiri Peacock Sanctuary,” the officer said.
Adichunchanagiri Peacock Sanctuary won the appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Adichunchanagiri Mutt on Wednesday. Modi recalled that the Mutt’s previous pastor, Dr Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, had led a campaign for peacocks. He called peacocks a “cultural identity” as they are a vehicle of Lord Subramanya, whom Hindus worship.
Modi stated that his residence in New Delhi has a good population of peacocks and said that this makes peacocks his friends.
