RAMESWARAM: Rarely are thick clouds seen over the arid Ramanathapuram skies, a rain shadow region.
But rarer still on Saturday was the splendorous dance by peacocks, with all their colourful feathers spread, on sighting patchy clouds over Mandapam near Rameswaram, raising hopes for some rains in this dry belt.
Thonithurai, on the coastline near Mandapam is a little known habitat for peacocks, says local green activist Govindan, on sighting dozens of these beautiful birds come out to spread their colours.
This is good augury for the farmers and people at large in this parched region, as peacock dance do herald rains, he says. Over half-a-dozen peacocks were found in a spirit of gay abandon on the railway track near Thonithurai, unmindful of any potential danger.
“There are a large number of peacocks in this place and the State Forest department should take steps to protect and conserve them,” adds Govindan.
