In this study impact of changing cropping pattern, pesticide use and use of modern farm machinery was documented on the population density of Indian peafowl. Study was conducted in Haryana comprising of district Ambala, Kurukshetra and Yamuna Nagar, since April 2012 to May 2013. Density of Indian peafowl was maximum in orchards whereas it was found to be minimum in paddy. Pesticide butachlor adversely affects the Peafowl so density is very low in case of paddy. Anilophos on other hand has least effect. Fields where metribuzin and fluchloralin is sprayed also have very low population density. Agricultural lands like orchards where harvesting is done manually both eggs and fledglings were found. In the agricultural fields where modern machines like combined harvester was used, chances of eggs and fledglings were nil. Maximum covey size of Indian peafowl was observed in orchards whereas, no coveys were found in paddy or wheat. Agricultural lands like orchards where harvesting is done manually both eggs and fledglings were found and fields where modern machines like combined harvester was used, chances of eggs and fledglings were reduced.
Peafowl, cropping pattern, pesticides, population density, modern farm machinery
