Mumbai July 01: The Governor of Maharashtra CH. Vidyasagar Rao and Chairman of the Tata Trusts Ratan Tata on Friday inaugurated the newly created Peacock Conservation Project in Raj Bhavan. Mr Tata cut the ribbon at the entrance of the peacock zone and unveiled a plaque outside to mark the inauguration of the Peacock Project.

Mr Tata accompanied by the Governor took a round of the peacock zone and also planted saplings to mark the launch of the Vana Mahotsav being celebrated in the State.

Veterinarians Madhurita Gupta and Yuvraj Kaginkar of the project implementing agency, Myvets Charitable Trust, briefed the Governor and Mr Tata about the various facilities created for the conservation and breeding of the peafowl.

Accompanied by the Governor, Mr Tata also visited the Sunrise Gallery of Raj Bhavan.

Dancing peacock stuns Ratan Tata

Even as Mr Ratan Tata and the Governor were cutting the ribbon of the Peacock Zone, a peacock sitting atop a tree started screaming much to the delight of the gathering. No sooner did Mr Tata and the Governor enter the Peacock Zone, a peacock descended from the tree, spread its feathers and started dancing on the deck of the adjoining swimming pool.

The Peacock Conservation Project is a Semi Wildlife landscape created in the forest area of Raj Bhavan on an area of 10000 square feet. The predator –free peacock aviary, named as ‘Mayur Vihar’, has natural and artificial nesters, artificial feeders, a small water body, a kitchen and an isolation and treatment ward for the injured peacocks.

The entire peacock zone is open from the top. The surrounding iron grill has been provided with large windows to allow the free movement of peacock and peahens in and out of the zone.

The project is expected to increase the population of peafowl, which currently stands at 18, to 25 to 30 by the end of 2016-2017.

The Peacock Conservation Project has received financial assistance from the Tata Trusts and has been executed by Myvets Charitable Trusts, a veterinary trust.

The peacock conservation project was initiated at the instance of the Governor after it was found that the peacock progeny had not been growing on account of various factors including the growing menace of mongoose and stray dogs.

The Trust headed by veterinarians Dr Madhurita Gupta and Dr Yuvraj Kaginkar will be taking care of the Nutritional aspects, Breeding, Feeding, Psychological, Behavioural and Physical needs of the peacocks.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PEACOCK CONSERVATION PROJECT:

To ensure PEACOCKS (Pavo Cristatus) in Raj Bhavan, Mumbai persist in the future and serve as a source population for peacocks within the Mumbai region and to increase the peacock population size through Habitat Restoration Programme by creating a Semi Wild Environment for peacocks to breed and proliferate in protected environment and to protect the peacocks from invasive species

ONGOING WORK:
Ø Continuous Enrichment Planning & Execution
Ø Feeding supplements for balanced nutrition
Ø Multivitamin & Mineral Supplementations in peacock feed
Ø Continuous monitoring of breeding behaviour of peacocks and protection of juveniles


HIGHLIGHTS:
Ø Created the protected SEMI WILD ENVIRONMENT
Ø After the initiation, the population of Peacocks have already increased
Ø Predator free Open Aviary for wild peacocks
Ø Nutritional Aspect, Breeding, Feeding, Psychological, Behavioural, Physical need of the peacocks is taken care for Mental & physical well being.
Ø Collection of data on census & sex ratio of the peafowl species
Ø Peacock numbers increased from mere 12 to 18 and expected increase 25 to 30 in 2016-2017
Ø WATER BODY: Water body is provided so that peacocks can get the clean water for drinking as well for grooming.
Ø ISOLATION & TREATMENT WARD: The isolation and treatment ward is provided so that the peacocks can be kept in this isolation & treatment ward during the treatment, till they recover from illness or injuries.
Ø Balanced Nutrition of Peacocks achieved
Ø Open Aviary with different Enrichments created for peacock population
Ø Grassland & Habitat Restoration done
Ø Environment created to achieve zero deaths of National Bird due to predators (Stray Dogs, Reptiles, Raptors & Mongoose)
Ø Artificial Nesters implanted for safe nesting of National Bird
Ø Eco – Nesters created for natural environment for laying eggs
Ø Artificial Feeders – Implanted at different points to provide feed for birds and prevents mongoose from competing for food
Ø Natural Feeders implanted for ground grazing
Ø Sand Pits – Were made at several points at the Peacock Conservation Site for the enrichment of the birds

FUTURE WORK
Ø Myvets Trust will concentrate on providing protection to Juvenile of Peacocks from predators
Ø Abandoned Eggs of peacocks will be incubated artificially
Ø Healthcare & Veterinary Management of peacocks will be given prime importance
Ø Nutritional formulations of feed will be done as per the requirement and stage of development of the species of peafowl

OUTCOME
Ø Peacock population restoration
Ø Habitat restoration for the Peafowl Species in Mumbai
Ø Improvement in the overall health of the peacocks
Ø Protection of peacocks from INVASIVE SPECIES
Ø Education & Awareness about National Bird to general public
Ø Due to implementation of various environmental enrichments Peacocks will exhibit the behaviour repertoire in the protected area at Raj Bhavan