Peacocks are generalist birds. (consultant)
Dehradun:
Wildlife specialists have interpreted the sighting of lowland birds like peacocks at an altitude of 6,500 ft in Uttarakhand as an uncommon phenomenon attributable to ecological adjustments within the Himalayan area as a consequence of elevated human actions.
The hen was noticed twice in forests within the state’s Bageshwar district. A senior official mentioned that it was first sighted within the Kafrigar forest vary in April after which within the Katayatbara forest on October 5.
“Surprisingly, peacocks, that are often discovered at an altitude of 1,600 ft, are discovered at an altitude of 6,500 ft. This is because of ecological adjustments which have began affecting the migration of untamed animals,” Bageshwar forest officer Dhyan Singh Karayat mentioned on Monday.
Dr Sueesh Kumar, senior scientist at India’s Wildlife Institute (WII), Dehradun, mentioned that though such sightings are unusual, they need to not confuse wildlife specialists.
Peacocks are generalist birds and aren’t that fussy or fussy about their habitat. Though it’s historically a lowland hen, it is usually discovered at increased than regular altitudes in neighboring Himachal Pradesh, Kumar mentioned.
One purpose could also be that even mountainous areas are not as chilly as they as soon as have been, and peacocks discover the local weather at excessive altitudes hospitable sufficient, he mentioned.
Kumar informed PTI, “Elevated human actions similar to agriculture and growth of human settlements excessive in mountainous areas have led to local weather warming in high-altitude areas, which can have led to this high-altitude migration of peacocks. However it might even be a seasonal adjustments.
“As winter approaches and the climate will get colder within the mountains, lowland birds could retreat to their unique habitats,” he mentioned.
Requested whether or not this mirrored an general pattern of peacock habitat shifts, Kumar mentioned it was too early to attract such a conclusion primarily based on simply two sightings.
Nonetheless, if such sightings change into extra frequent, it might actually mirror a basic pattern of peacock habitat shifts, he mentioned.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
