Manali: In a rare sighting, a peacock has been seen in the snow covered forests of Jagsukht near Manali.
Sightings of a peacock at a an altitude of 6,500 feet has come as a surprise bird watchers and wild life wardens of the Himachal Forest Department.
This lowland bird is usually found at altitudes around 1,600 feet. Observers and experts say that these are signs of ecological changes in the Himalayas and a considerable rise in atmospheric temperatures.
While these sightings are rare, they should not alarm say wildlife experts.
Rajesh Sharma DFO wild life Kullu told Hill Post, “The peacock falls into the generalist species of bird that is not so selective or choosy about its habitat. Though traditionally a lowland bird, it has been found at higher than normal elevations in Himachal Pradesh.”
Sharma suggests that one reason for this shift could be that the hill regions are no longer as cold as they used to be, making higher altitudes more conducive for peacock habitation. “Increased human activities like farming and expanding human settlements in the higher reaches of the mountains have led to warmer conditions at higher altitudes which may have led to this altitudinal migration of the peacock. But it may be a seasonal shift too,”
He further elaborated, “In winters, as it get colder in the hills these lowland bird may retreat to heir original habitat conditions.”
When asked if this reflects a broader habitat-shifting tendency among peacocks, Sharma advised caution and said it would be premature to conclude that with just one sighting. However, if such sightings become more frequent, it would reflect a general tendency among peacocks to shift habitats.
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
