K'taka: One held in killing peacocks

Hubli, July 25: The Forest Officials arrested one person in connection with the killing of more than 100 peacocks enmasse near BaleHosur in Gadag district last Sunday.

Officials were on the look out for two more persons in this connection.

According to official sources, a case had been registered against Basavanneppa Mulimani, who had treated maize seeds with pesticide in his field leading to the death of peacocks as well as some sparrows and doves in the area. He was absconding for the past two days.

Forest officials found evidence that farmers had been treating maize and other seeds with insecticides and deliberately sprinkled some portion of seeds in comparatively shallow furrows in the field corners so that peacocks and other birds fall prey to the seeds.

Action would be initiated to protect the national bird in the area after receiving the post-mortem report, sources added.

UNI