International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies
2018, Vol. 5 Issue 2, Part B
Conservation of Indian peafowl in agricultural landscape
Author(s):
Borad CK and BM Parasharya
Abstract:
Indian peafowl
Pavo cristatus Linn
– Indian’s national bird is protected under Schedule-1 of Indian Wildlife Protection Act. The non-availability/scarcity of their primary habitat has compelled them to enter into agricultural landscape to which they are well adapted. However, the threat of agricultural activities to birds for their better survival (i.e non-target effect of pesticide) needs to be addressed. A study on Indian peafowl was conducted to quantify the conflicts and threats with birds in agriculture by using indicator parameters like population size, crop damage and pesticide poisoning etc. in part of central Gujarat region during 2007 to 2010. An experiment was conducted to avoid the threat posed by pesticides.
The roost site population size at various locations ranged forms 52 to 100 birds. During daytime, the peafowl were mainly distributed in non-cropped area; hedges, scrubland, haystacks, stubbles fields, building & structure and manure heap (78.71 % in monsoon and 80.92 % in winter) within agricultural field. Farmers don’t perceive the peafowl damage as economic loss to them and there was no conflict of interest between birds and farmers. The experiments were set to managing the birds by restricting their movement in crop field to resolve the developing conflict among peafowl and farmer. In fact, we did not come across the field crop damaged by peafowl. However, the peafowl mortality due to non-target effect of pesticide application is a serious concern. To avoid the peafowl causality in pesticide treated crop fields, bird’s movement in treated field should be restricted. Tying of jute string in and around the field was tested to evaluate its effect on peafowl movement and was found effective. It is advocated to educate the farmers for eco-friendly plant protection practices to conserve the biodiversity in agricultural landscape.
Pages: 108-113 | 1779 Views 572 Downloads
Borad CK and BM Parasharya. Conservation of Indian peafowl in agricultural landscape. Int. J. Fauna Biol. Stud. 2018;5(2):108-113.