Peacock census conducted at KBR Park, results on Dec. 3
Hyderabad: Over 100 enthusiasts took part in a census of peacocks at the KBR National Park on Sunday morning. The result be announced on December 3 during the Peacock Festival. Last year’s census had put the number at 565.
The participants, split into groups, took part in the census between 7 and 8 am. The groups included forest officials, KBR staff, walkers, and members of five NGOs — World Wildlife Fund India WWFIndia, Friends of Snakes Society, FossSociety, Deccan Birders, Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA), and members of Humane Society International Global.
Each group used transect lines, starting from opposite ends of the park.
“Transect lines are straight paths designed for standardised observations of flora and fauna across natural landscapes. They ensure accurate tracking of the peacock population,” explained Avinash Visvanathan, FossSociety, who was among the participants.
He added, “Participants walk in a single file to minimise disturbance.”
The census covered all park landscapes, including visitor trails, to map the wildlife comprehensively. “The survey is conducted inside the KBR forest but also factor in areas where visitors walk. Transects are designed to cover all landscapes of the park in order to get a comprehensive picture of the peafowl and peahen population, even in areas with lower bird densities,” he said.
Against 565 last year, the 2022 census counted 544 peacocks and 550 in 2021. “We are expecting an increase this year as well,” Visvanathan added.
Manjula M, section officer (forest) in KBR NP, told Deccan Chronicle, “Officials from KBR, including the range, section and beat officers, also participated in the walk. This activity is conducted every year. It was successful once again.”