Peacocks
are eating differently: Study By Himanshu Nitnaware, Pune Mirror
Updated: Feb
21, 2019, 06:00 IST
Changes in omnivorous national bird’s dietary
pattern, with an increased dependence on grains, is egging on wildlife
activists to scale up conservation bid.
A study on peacocks shows that dietary
patterns of the national bird have changed making the omnivorous bird more
dependant on grains. It also showed that farmers and locals take pride in culturally
embedded effort to conserve the bird. The study was conducted by the
biodiversity department of the Abasaheb Garware College to understand the diet,
communications, reproductive behaviour and population of the bird in different
parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Extended over a period of three years, the
researchers studied peacocks in areas like Morachi Chincholi and hills near
Pune and Gangapur dam, Pandavleni and outskirts of Nashik in Maharashtra. While
in Rajasthan the research was conducted in Sawai Madhopur, Shahpura, Govindpura
and Kalakhora.
“The idea was to understand the impact of human habitation on
the bird and vice-versa, the perception of the locals and if at all any efforts
are made by them to protect the bird,” said Dhanashree Paranjpe, a researcher
from the college. Focusing only on the dietary patterns in the first phase, the
researcher said it was found that 70 per cent of the diet of these birds
consists of grains.
“There is less dependence on other foods like insects,
worms and reptiles which is known to be primarily consumed by them,” she added.
Speaking about the human and peacock interactions, Paranjpe said in some parts
it was observed that locals take special pride and are a matter of identity
where peacocks dwell.
“This is true in reference with places like Morachi
Chincholi where eco-tourism has flourished because of the peacocks. Also, in
Rajasthan the religious and cultural beliefs also encourage the people to take
pride,” she added.
