43 peacocks died in Mah in last one year

Mumbai, Mar 23 (UNI) As many as 43 peacocks died in Maharashtra during the last one year, Forest Minister Babanrao Pachpute told the Legislature Assembly today.

Replying to a calling attention notice, he said the deaths have occurred due to different causes, out of while hunting accounted for the least. Forest officials are investigating the case under the Wildlife Protection Act.

The Government has decided to improve the patrolling by forest officials jointly with villagers and create awareness about protecting peacock, as it is a national bird, he said.

He, however, rejected the demand of the members to compensate farmers who suffer crop losses due to straying of peacocks straying in their fields.

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