KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has learnt through a report that he called from Forest department that 27 peacocks have died in eight different villages of Tharparkar.
The chief minister taking serious notice of the disease which has claimed the lives of beautiful birds of Thar, the peacocks ; had sought a report from the Forest department terming it unacceptable that off and on, even during this winter season peacocks are dying due to irresponsible attitude of the concerned authorities.
The report received from Secretary Forest Mr Mazoor Shaikh says that in view of emergent situation of dying peacocks, the deputy conservator was sent to the site, Thar on February 26 and he met local people in village Bakho, some 25 to 30 kilometers in the North of Mithi. The resident of the said that villagers have told him that the chicken and peacocks were largely dying due to spread of Rani Khet.
The report further says “the site investigations since 2007 have established that the main source behind the deaths of peacock was the virus of Rani Khet which originates from poultry. Preventive measures in the matter are required to be taken by the Veterinary department,” the report suggests.
The report says that four peacocks died in Aqliyoon, two in Bangal of Chhore taluka, four in Bakho, four Posarko of Mithi, two in Dhabaro, two in Seenghalo, taluka Deplo and nine in Derandeida of Nagarparkar.
Chief minister Syed Murad Ali shah has issued directives to Veterinary and Forest departments to work in close coordination to control the disease and keep him posting their reports.
He also directed them to start medication of peacocks and chickens in the area, segregate the ailing peacocks from the healthy ones and top of it formulate `save the peacock strategy’ on war footings under intimation to his office.
He directed the forest and Veterinary department to depute efficient, energetic and bird loving officials in Thar for taking emergent measures. “I want results, not mere reports,” he said categorically.
