Indore (Madhya Pradesh): As temperatures in Indore nears 42°C, India’s national bird — the peacock — is dying silently. With no water, no feed, and no plan, the city’s forest authorities have failed to protect one of the country’s most iconic species. Residents claim that at least 35 peafowls have already succumbed to the heat. The number may be far higher.
This is not just a seasonal oversight. This is an avoidable disaster.
Birds Dying, Authorities Silent
Mass deaths have been reported from Kalindi Colony, the Residency Area behind Indore Zoo, and Ralamandal. In each of these areas, locals discovered lifeless bodies of peafowls — victims of extreme dehydration and heatstroke. There were no water tanks, no feeding stations, and no active response from forest officials.
“We have not made any arrangements as of now, and there is no budget allocated,” Krishna Ninama, Assistant Conservator of Forest, said.
Despite the rising heat, the Environment Department has not made a single arrangement for food or water. Forest officials have admitted they have no updated data on bird locations or heat impact. Worse, they’ve taken no proactive measures — simply watching the crisis unfold.
“We don’t have any such information about the peacock deaths as of now,” Pradeep Mishra, divisional forest officer (DFO) said.
No Budget, No Priority
This year, as in previous years, no budget was allocated for summer peacock protection. Last year, former DFO (Late) Mahendra Singh Solanki stepped in personally, funding emergency feed and water setups from his own pocket. This year, no such leadership or action has emerged.
Officials deny deaths in Ralamandal, yet some locals strongly contest having seen peacocks dying in some areas of the city. Some residents in Kalindi stated, “We’ve seen the birds lying still in the open, mouths open, gasping. And we’re told nothing happened?”
Protection Plans Only on Paper
In 2020, the forest department introduced a cluster-based conservation system meant to monitor and support peacock habitats. The plan covered 80 villages across Indore, Mhow, Manpur, and Choral, where 10,000+ peafowls were estimated to reside. Four villages formed one cluster, and any area with more than five peacocks was to be included.
But in 2025, this model exists only in documents. No action, no monitoring, no updates. The supposed community-based conservation effort has completely broken down.
This Is Not Just About Peacocks
This is about how we treat the natural world in times of crisis. The peacock — a symbol of pride and identity, declared our national bird — is now dying by the roadside while departments shuffle files and budgets.
Act Now — Or Lose Them Forever
Set up emergency water tanks across peacock zones
Start immediate feed programs using available forest funds
Deploy field staff to monitor clusters and rescue distressed birds
Provide transparent updates to the public on ground realities
This isn’t just a heatwave. This is a collapse in responsibility. And unless officials act today, India may lose far more than just a few birds — it may lose its very symbol of natural beauty.
The national bird is dying. Who will save it?
