Case of missing peacocks

The number of peacocks in Noida has been steadily declining, authorities clueless of the reason.

Noida residents, who had befriended with peacocks, are now craving for even a single glimpse of the national bird. Residents and the environmentalists attribute the change to the rampant development in the city.
Earlier, residents of Noida Sector 40 and 41 used to feed peacocks in their sector but now they hardly see any peacock. They used to specially keep food and water for the birds in earthen pots on the roofs of their houses.
Peacocks used to move freely in the area without any fear. "There were around eight to nine peacocks, which used to come here for almost eight years. We considered them to be a good omen. We also loved to see them strolling in our C Block park but now they have just disappeared. They were like our family members but I don't know where they have gone now," said Purnima Sen, a resident of Sector 40.
Meanwhile, a city-based environmentalist has also written to the union environment ministry urging it to investigate whether proper environmental clearances had been obtained prior to sale of land in Noida and Greater Noida villages or not as the area used to be a rich habitat for peacocks.
Environmentalist Subir Gosh said, "Rapid construction activities coupled with increase in human population in around a dozen villages has led to the disappearance of the peacocks. This area once had a large number of peacocks but their number is negligible now."
Many residents of Noida have also raised this issue to the Noida Authority but to no avail. Farmers of the area also allege that tree felling is yet another cause of the situation.
Forest department officials said that if the builders have been axing the trees, it is without their approval. "We have not received any application for cutting of trees so far," said Ved Pal, senior official, horticulture department.
Ironically, the district forest department has neither any official record on the number of peacocks nor have they ever carried out any survey for it. Chief development officer Pawan Kumar said, "I have no idea of the diminishing number of peacocks. We would soon visit the place to find out the reason behind this."