Although the government does not have data on the population of the national bird, its population is said to be dwindling because of poaching for feathers, which fetches a good price in national and international markets.

The only stock-taking of peacock population in India done by World Wide Fund for nature in 1991 revealed that India was left with only 50% of the total peacock population that existed at the time of Independence. Government officials and animal activists believe it number has come down further since 1991 because of habitat loss and poaching.

Alarmed by rising demand of feathers - popularly known as morpankh - having outstripped naturally shed feathers available, the Environment Ministry has decided for complete clamp down on sale, purchase and transport of peacock feathers.

“A decision has been taken to ban trade of peacock feather,” environment and forest minister Jayanthi Natarajan told HT.

Trade of naturally shed peacock feathers is allowed under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which although prohibits killing of the bird.

The loophole in the law has been misused and had lead to rampant killing of the bird across India for highly lucrative feather business. With the limited staff, the forest departments have found it difficult to check their poaching.

A senior ministry official said a decision has been taken to seek the Cabinet approval to amend the Act and make trade of body parts of peacocks an offence equivalent to punishment for killing other non-endangered species.

A person caught selling or purchasing peacock feathers or trophies could be jailed for up to two years under the amended law, officials said. However, possessing peacock feathers by citizens will not be a crime under the law.

Poorva Joshipura, chief executive officer of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, India, welcomed the government move and said it was time to recognize that which is that the trade in peacock feathers is resulting in slaughter of the national bird. “Anyone who has ever been to a market where peacock feathers are sold can easily see that the sheer number of products produced means the common claim that these products are made of feathers the birds have naturally shed is a myth,” she said, in a statement.

Peacocks are poached for several reasons including its meat and feathers. “There is a belief that keeping peacock feathers in home bring good luck,” an official said. In many places the national bird is killed for meat considered to have medicinal values especially with relation to arthritis.