Two held for killing peacock

Story/place-Kanpur.

Aug 26, 2010,
KANPUR: Two persons were arrested in Ghatampur for killing a peacock. A carcass of the national bird was seized from them on Wednesday.

"Rajpal and Gappu, residents of Rewna village and belonging to Kanjar tribe, who had killed the peacock on Wednesday, were arrested from Sarganwa village," police official Vinod Mishra said. One of their accomplices identified as Indra Kumar of Rewna village, is absconding, he added.

The two have admitted that they have been killing peacocks since several years for meat and feathers.

The two were spotted by the villagers, who informed a police team patrolling in the area.

A case under Section 9/91 of the Wildlife Protection Act has been registered against the three persons.

The peacock is protected under Section 51 (1-A) of the Wildlife Protection Act-1972 and its hunting and killing is prohibited. However, its feathers and fat, used in the treatment of arthritis, fetch a good amount.

The two arrested persons have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Wildlife Protection Act, Mishra said.

Meanwhile, the locals informed that the unauthorised killing of peacocks by the people particularly of `Kanjar' tribe is going on for a long time in the area. Ram Kishore of Sargawan village informed the police after witnessing the killing the peacock on Wednesday.

Explaining the methods to trap the birds, Kishore said, "Usually, the peacocks follow a track for breeding in an area where is accumulated or tall and thick groves of trees are present. The poachers hide at the strategic positions and use catapults to kill the birds." A grown up peacock yields more than one-and-half kilogram of flesh, while its feathers are also a prized item. Trapping a peacock is both easy and lucrative, as they can not fly long distances, he added.

Only on August 3, a man was arrested with a dead peacock near Kanpur Central railway station, under Rail Bazaar police station limits. He was identified as Ram Chandra, a native of Rampur Kalan in Sitapur.

Peacock comes under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act-1972:

* Section 9 of the Act prohibits hunting of wild animals and birds specified in Schedule I, II, III and IV.

The classification has been made keeping in mind the significance and population of the wildlife. Those highly threatened find a place in Schedule I.

Section 51 of the Act prescribes a maximum imprisonment of six years, Rs 25,000 as fine or both for hunting animals and birds specified under Schedule I.

Poor enforcement

The officials of the wildlife department admit that though the punitive measures under law are exhaustive, the enforcement is very poor. A case is registered under the Wildlife Protection Act but it never reaches court because of lack of evidence. Even if the case reaches the court, lack of awareness about Wildlife Act provisions invariably results in miscarriage of justice.

source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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