This is the third consecutive year that the deadly Newcastle virus is raging through the peacock population of Thar. Though there is no consensus on the number of peacocks that have died so far, all agree that the problem is very severe. The Newcastle virus is mostly found in poultry but it is transmitted to other wild and domestic birds if they are living in close proximity to chickens. The drought conditions and absence of rain puts the birds’ immune system under stress. The birds’ nervous system is affected and they start coughing and gasping. Eventually, the disease proves fatal.

Peacocks form an integral part of Thar’s wildlife. Around 3000 snakebite cases are reported in Thar annually and the peacock population plays a crucial role in keeping this number within control as they are a main predator for snakes. Peacocks are not only ecologically and spiritually significant to the local people but also considered an integral part of almost every household in Thar.

The Newcastle virus can get out of control and affect other pets and wild birds if timely action is not taken. According to Hussain Bux Bhagat of the Sindh Wildlife Department his organisation is committed to protecting peacocks and other wildlife in the province in spite of severe financial and manpower constraints. He confirmed that about 80,000 peacocks exist in Thar and added that the provincial department has approved a new scheme under which mobile units would be deployed along with technical staff to take action as and where needed.

Ali Akbar Rahmoon, representative of a Thar-based NGO, insists that “if the government is unable to tackle the issue, it should seek international help and bring in experts to address the issue”. The current situation requires that medicated feed should be provided to peacocks as a preventive measure and the ailing birds should be kept in isolation while being treated otherwise the disease will keep spreading and other birds like parrots, pigeons and wild birds will also be affected. The carcasses, which are a carrier of the infection, should be buried deep enough so dogs and other wild animals cannot dig them up and eat them.

Journalist Sohail Sangi suggests that camps should be set up at the union council level and local people be engaged because they possess skill and experience to single out sick peacocks. In addition, villagers should be provided medicated feed to mix with the garbage they throw outside as birds forage for food in rubbish heaps and this way they will get some protection from the disease. Emergency centres may be established in the affected area to isolate and treat the sick birds and vaccinate the healthy ones. The Sindh Wildlife Department is primarily concerned with prevention of illegal hunting; hence, it is not equipped to effectively manage virus epidemics. Interdisciplinary strategies need to be developed with the technical help of the university livestock and wildlife departments.

“A two-pronged strategy needs to be developed to handle this issue; as an immediate step efforts may be undertaken to contain further spread of the virus in other birds along with treatment of the affected birds, while in the second step risks and threats to the biodiversity of Thar may be addressed.” says Ashfaque Soomro of Research and Development Foundation working on a climate change adaptation project in Thar.

Though the second strategy appears to be a long-term proposition and may take time, it is imperative that all stakeholders should act as one to address this issue.

One of the issues that affect wildlife management in Sindh is the existing legal framework which provides no incentives for local communities and other stakeholders, nor does it provide any room for adoption of new concepts and management innovations. World Wildlife Fund has provided assistance to the government of Sindh to revise and update the existing 1972 Wildlife Protection Ordinance to make it more appropriate to ground realities and to enable the harvesting of benefits and services in a sustainable manner and an equitable basis. The revised law could not be presented and passed by the previous Sindh Assembly and is still pending. One can only hope that the newly elected Sindh Assembly will give priority to this significant law and process it for legislation.

The author is associated with Friends of Indus Forum and Fellow LEAD Pakistan.