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National bird gets a safe home in heart of city — Lodhi Garden
The Lodhi Garden in the Lutyen’s zone is getting its third batch of peachicks. New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials said the garden, with its “bird-friendly habitat”, would help the chicks grow, as they are quite vulnerable to human activities and their survival rate is very low.
The Lodhi Garden in the Lutyen’s zone is getting its third batch of peachicks. New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials said the garden, with its “bird-friendly habitat”, would help the chicks grow, as they are quite vulnerable to human activities and their survival rate is very low.
The chairman of the civic agency, Parimal Rai, said, “The chicks will be kept in an enclosure in the garden till they develop wings and are able to take care of themselves. This takes around three months. After that they are allowed to move freely.”
“We want to provide these birds a natural environment in the garden.”
The civic agency is releasing five peachicks in association with the World Pheasant Association (India).
“We want to increase peacock sighting in the city, especially in Lodhi Garden, where there has been a rise in their population over the past few years. The enclosure at Lodhi Garden will act as a refuge,” said Samar Singh, the association's president.
Singh said the process of releasing the national bird in its natural environment began in 2007.
“Pea fowls are essentially ground-dwelling birds that lay eggs on the ground. But in 2004 I saw eggs a peahen had laid on the window ledge at an Annexe at the IIC,” Singh said.
“They don’t lay eggs in the garden as stray dogs and cats attack the eggs. Also, peahens require a secluded area to lay eggs which is not available in the Lodhi Garden, as it is frequented by a large number of people,” said a senior NDMC official.
Singh said the enclosure in the garden would provide a safe environment for the birds to grow during the initial months.
The civic body will also provide these birds food, water, shelter and vaccination.
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