The peacock feather is making the fur fly. The proposed ban on the use of the peacock feather (even those naturally shed) has triggered surprise and dismay among young product designers, who consider the beautiful bird their muse. They use the gorgeous blue-green feathers to make home decor items, pens, earrings, etc and find nothing amiss in creatively using the shed feathers for artistic utility.
If recent reports are to be believed, the Ministry of Environment and Forest after finding many peacocks dead in the area surrounding Agra and other places in the country, and is thinking about banning the domestic use of the peacock feather.
The officials from the ministry say that the national bird is being poached for feathers and once the tip of the feather is cut, even forensic reports can’t find out if the feather was naturally shed or forcibly pulled out. And to protect the national bird, which is gradually becoming a prey of the growing business, the ministry thinks nothing could be better than banning its trade.
But the move doesn’t seem so easy. Keeping in mind, the sentiments of people — as many believe that a peacock’s tail feather is lucky or auspicious to keep at home, students keep it in the notebooks considering it a symbol of wisdom and artist swear it as one of the most beautiful things given by nature — before taking a final decision, the government has asked for a public opinion on the issue.
Designer duo Rahul & Gunjan have decorated their designer rickshaw (to be displayed during the Commonwealth Games) with peacock feathers. Rahul says, “Some feathers that I have used to decorate my rickshaw are from my childhood collection,” says Rahul, who thinks that the government should think of a better way to stop peacock poaching.
He even says that most artists understand that saving the national bird is more important than anything else. “I don’t think any sensible person would kill the bird for monetary interest. If the government is taking the issue seriously, instead of a ban, they should take a step towards protecting them.”
Agrees wedding planner Sumathy Bachchan, “It is good that the Forest Ministry is thinking about the national bird. Banning the use would not help. They should have a better patrolling system in areas where the bird is found,” she says.