(a) whether the peacock species has been provided legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the number of cases of peacock hunting that came to light during each of the last three years, State-wise and the action taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a)& (b) Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is listed in Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, thereby affording them the highest degree of protection. Hunting of the species is a punishable offence under the Act.
(c) The State/UT Governments are mandated with the responsibility of protection of wildlife, including peacocks. State-wise cases of hunting of peacocks are not collated at the level of Central Government.