However, a controversy ensued when questions were raised on whether the peacock, which is a protected bird under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, could be moved to human residences
A pair of peacocks now adorn the campus of one of Bihar’s power centres — 10, Circular Road — home to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad and his sons, Tejashwi Yadav, the deputy chief minister of Bihar, and Tej Pratap, state health and environment and forest minister.
The pair, a peacock and peahen, were released at Lalu’s bungalow, located at Patna’s New Capital Circle, by officials of Sanjay Gandhi Biological Reserve (Patna Zoo) on Thursday evening. However, a controversy ensued when questions were raised on whether the peacock, which is a protected bird under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, could be moved to human residences.
Patna Zoo director Nand Kishore told DNA, “Yes, we have moved a pair of the national birds to 10, Circular Road, so that they can roam around freely in natural surroundings.” He added that this was not the first time that peacocks have been released in partially-closed surroundings.
“The New Capital Circle area in the vicinity of Patna zoo has a lot of greenery and we made a policy decision to set these birds free in partly-restricted campuses to allow them more freedom. During the past one year, at least five have been moved to different houses in the area,” he said.
Kishore said the move was mulled as there were “ample peacocks at the Patna Zoo”. “We have 16 peacocks and peahens at the zoo and we will soon be releasing a few more in partially-restricted open areas so that they survive and breed in freer environments,” he said, adding, “this will also promote awareness about peacock conservation among people.”
It may be mentioned that Lalu, during his days as Bihar CM, had constructed a cowshed at his official residence, where over four dozen cows were kept and cared for.
Even his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, has a known fondness for cows. His photo of playing a flute among cows had gone viral on social media around the New Year.
The regal birds will sure be a visual delight at 10, Circular Road. However, since Lalu’s present home witnesses a steady stream of party leaders, workers and commoners visiting for grievance redressal, almost on a daily basis, “the free movement as well as the safety of the national birds” remains to be ensured.
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