UMERKOT, Sept 25 Arguably the most beautiful among birds and focus of poets' fascination in the subcontinent, peacocks and their female peahens, are on the verge of extinction in Thar desert because of an illegal and unabated sale of its eggs, smuggling and loss of habitat.

Decrease in the bird's number have in turn contributed to an increase in the snakes' population as the peacock, being its mortal enemy, keeps the reptile's number in check.

Change in rainfall pattern, increasing population of humans and their anti-environment activities, illegal sale of eggs, smuggling, keeping the bird in unfavourable conditions like bungalows and guesthouses have contributed to an alarming decrease in the birds' population.

This time of the year is a period of dance for the blue peacock which is only found in India, Bangladesh and Thar when its abode, Thar has been covered in lush green vegetation after sufficient rains and their female peahens have started breeding.

Besides humans, a large sized crow called Doddo in Thar is a fatal enemy of the birds' eggs. The crow searches out the eggs in the bushes where peahens lay them and sucks them out.

Some greedy people also hunt the birds' eggs and sell them for Rs100 to 200. The buyers usually keep the eggs under hens to get peachicks.

It is common practice to ensnare the bird and present it as a gift to friends. In most cases it is sold and taken to cities where it usually dies in unfavourable atmosphere.

The electricity has also proved harmful for the bird in Thar. When the bird lands on wires, its heavy weight causes them to lower and touch the other wire, leading to spark and eventual death of the bird.

The wildlife department issues permit for a fee of Rs200 for domesticating peacock in a house but smugglers use it to take the bird to major cities and sell it illegally.

If and when a smuggler is arrested he is released after payment of Rs1,000 fine. This period of the year being breeding season of peahen, smugglers and greedy people have already started stealing its eggs from its nests.

Thar has a rich history of traditional eco-friendly traditions being followed by inhabitants for centuries. The traditions have helped keep vast pastures and jungles full of fodder for livestock round the year but now there are no more pastures because of increased human activities and prolonged droughts.Arbab Nek Mohammad, a renowned writer and head of Makhdoom Bilawal Welfare Association who is working for the protection of peacocks, said that decrease in the number of peacocks had led to an increase in snakes' population and an unusual rise in snakebite cases.

He said that media was not highlighting the issue effectively and the government departments were less concerned about implementing relevant laws. The disturbance in eco-system has its own repercussions, he said.

He feared if the unabated illegal hunting and sale of the bird was not stopped then the bird would go extinct within a couple of years. Grazing pastures had shrunk and local flora and fauna were threatened by increased human activities, he said.

Bharumal Amrani, a social activist working for protection of environment and biodiversity of Thar, urged implementation of the Sindh Wildlife Act 1972.

He suggested seeking help from military and paramilitary forces deployed in desert areas to play a pivotal role in preserving and protecting peacocks.

Personnel of police, education department, students, supervisors, health department and agriculture department could also help protect the bird, he said.

There are more than 200 peacock model farms in irrigated and desert areas of Umerkot, Sanghar and Tharparkar, including Naseer Faqir Jalalani, Hamzo Dars, Bhit Bhaiti, Kamal Mustafa Wassan, Sadhar, Mor Jhango, Qadir Dad Rind, Chelh Band, Hanjal, Jhapio, Kharsar, Gogasar, Verhijhap where inhabitants preserve and protect the bird on their own but officials of wildlife department have never visited these areas.

Chief Conservator Hussain Bux Bhagat blamed smuggling and illegal hunting for near extinction of peacock and said that it was difficult for them to catch smugglers because they were understaffed and ill-equipped.

Issuance of and renewal of possession license in Tharparkar and Umerkot districts had been stopped, he said.