Bountiful heritages: Protecting Pakistani Peacocks

Shannan and Amert are two of the peacocks which are being provided shelter and protection in Mithrio Charan, Tharparakar. They are being looked after by the Hindu community of this area, where NHSD - through funding from Global Givnig - had first reconstructed the residents' houses using locally sourced sustainable material and further, installation of solar panels.

They are peacocks, more accurately Indian peafowls that are identified by their vibrant colorful plumage.

Male peacocks have vibrant plumage to distract predators from female peacocks.

Amert is a Sanskrit name, meaning "one worthy of respect". It is the name of the male peacock

Shannan is a Sanskrit name also, meaning "ancient" or "primordial". It is the name of the female peacock.

Both names are very apt, since the peacock is a significant part of Hindu mythology, canon, and cultural identity. Lakshmi, the ancient Hindu goddes of wealth, is often represented by peacocks. Lord Krishna, the eighth reincarnation of Vishnu, the god of love and compassion, is not only represented as a peacock, but often as a sign of prosperity and good fortune a peacock feather is placed in Hindu homes.

Alas, in Pakistan, the peacock is indeed, "ancient". Research and news articles (here, and here respectively) have emphasized that the peacock is dying. In 2012, Newscastle Disease caused the death of the Indian peafowl especially in Sindh. Whilst the Sindh Forestry Department was able to arrange vaccination and veterinary assistance for them, Amert and Shannan were informed of a time when many of their kind were wiped out.

From 2014 to date, climate change, increased desertification, limited funding of the SIndh Forestry Department, poaching, even limited availability of feed... the peacocks have been dying, and there are only 200,000 left.

Amert, and Shannan, are both under threat from these factors, and they required help.

But NHSD took it upon itself to emphasize their story. And with the help of our Global-Giving donors, steps were taken to protect them.

Walls are being constructed on the sanctuary of the Mithrio Charan vicinity to ensure that the peacocks have a safe haven for their residence. They are provided water and meals by the community as provided by NHSD.

One sanctuary has already been established where Amert and Shannan are safe. This reservation has space for 14 to 15 peacocks.

Shannan, in fact, is doing quite well. She now has a ostentation of eggs (a collection of peacock eggs), and one of them hatched recently.

But more work needs to be done to keep them safe. NHSD plans on reinforcing their location with sustainable material, which allows the peacocks to have a safe haven to be themselves - a place where they are given respect, sanctuary, and a place for their grace to be awarded the reverence it deserves.