NAGPUR: In view of reports of mortality of peacocks, the sale and purchase of peacock feathers will now come under forest department scanner. The chief wildlife warden has directed all the chief conservators of forests in Maharashtra to verify whether the sale of feathers of the national bird has been procured legally.
The state wildlife wing's move comes after the ministry of environment, forests and climate change directives on May 7, 2014 to all the states and union territories to grant highest degree of protection to peacocks, listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA) 1972.
"The government received several complaints about peacock poaching. Reports also suggest that peacocks are hunted specifically for their feathers, to meet large-scale demand for articles made from peacock tail feathers besides being hunted for its meat," said VK Sinha, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF) for wildlife administration and ecotourism.
Peacocks though a Schedule-I bird, the Act provides certain exemptions under sections 43, 44 (4) and 49 (a) for transport, transfer and trade in the peacock tail feathers within the country. Peacock tail feathers are commonly used in the country for various religious, cultural and traditional purposes and are also traded freely.
It is also observed that in the name of the exemptions available to peacock feathers in WPA, and as the birds are found outside forests as well as within, genuine actions for protection are not being taken. It needs to be understood that exemptions are available only from regulation within the Act.
However, Sinha said even if this is true, the exemptions do not authorize any person/trader to either not reveal the origin of the stock being traded or keep in stock illegally obtained feathers. The forest department has been asked to check stocks and records for source of the peacock feathers.
"Initially, we will bring awareness among the people. The dealer or seller will have to now tell whether the feathers have been procured legally or else he will be booked under the WPA. Even if the sellers say they are stocking shed peacock feathers, such stock will require permission under the biodiversity act," said Sinha.
Thus, checking of stock and records for source, chain of custody and trade of peacock feathers will be completely within the powers of authorized enforcement agencies.
THE MoEF DIRECTIVES
* Any case of mortality of peacocks must be inquired into and dealt with on priority being a Schedule I species in Wildlife Act 1972
* Exemptions are available only from regulation within the Act on transfer, transport and trade of peacock tail feathers and article made from them
* While feathers may be collected and possessed by communities for religious, cultural and subsistence needs, nobody is exempted from ban on hunting
* Killing and plucking feathers, within or outside forests is not only an offence but also attracts punishment related to Schedule I animals.
