Maha Guv, Ratan Tata inaugurate peacock conservation project

Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, today inaugurated the newly-created peacock conservation project at Raj Bhavan here.
Tata cut the ribbon at the entrance of the peacock zone and unveiled a plaque outside to mark the inauguration of the project, a Raj Bhavan official said.
Accompanied by the Governor, Tata took a round of the peacock zone and planted saplings to mark the launch of a massive tree plantation drive being undertaken across the state, the official said.
The peacock conservation project is a semi-wildlife landscape created in the forest area of Raj Bhavan on an area of 10,000 square feet.

The predator-free peacock aviary, named 'Mayur Vihar', has natural and artificial nesters, artificial feeders, a small water body, a kitchen and an isolation and treatment ward for the injured peacocks.
The entire zone is open from the top. Iron grills around the zone have been provided with large windows to allow free movement of the peacock and peahens in and out of the zone.

The project is expected to increase the population of peafowl in Raj Bhawan, from current 18 to 25-30 by the end of 2016-2017, the official said.
The project received financial assistance from the Tata Trusts and executed by Myvets Charitable Trusts, a veterinary trust. It was initiated at the instance of the Governor after it was found that the peacock progeny was not been growing on account of various factors including the menace of mongoose and stray dogs.

The Trust, headed by veterinarians Dr Madhurita Gupta and Dr Yuvraj Kaginkar, will be taking care of the nutritional aspects, breeding, feeding, psychological, behavioural and physical needs of the peacocks.