THARPARKAR- At least eight peacocks died in different areas of Tharparkar because of a contagious disease in two days.

According to the Wildlife Department sources, eight peacocks died ofNewcastledisease, locally known as Ranikhet while several others were also reported to be infected in the tehsil Daplipo of Tharparkar.

The Wildlife Department confirmed the deaths of the peacocks. The local people expressed grave concerns over the deaths of their beloved birds. They said disease-inflicted birds had stopped drinking water a few days ago and it was feared that toll may rise further as many peacocks were reportedly infected of the diseases.

Last year, whenNewcastledisease virus (NDV) killed more than 300 (as reported in the media, but villagers said the number was more than what was reported) peacocks in different parts of Tharparkar, villagers and civil society protested, but authorities did not take it seriously. This resulted in more deaths.

This was the apathy of the authorities which didn’t take steps to save the bird. Now eight more peacocks died and several others were suffering from disease in Tharparkar. The symptoms were similar to the disease reported last year.

This disease in birds spreads in hot season every year. The villagers feared that the disease could spread and infect more birds this year if timely action was not taken.

According to a rough estimate, there are more than fourty thousand (40,000) wild peacocks in Tharparkar but their number is declining because of poaching and lack of effective conservation.

The wild peacock also faces intense heat, unavailability of water and food which also results in the outbreak of disease.

The authorities concerned should take serious actions to stop this expected outbreak of disease in peacock this year to save the beauty of Tharparkar.