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India Gifts Rare White Peacock to UN Geneva
10 Aug
Summary
- Five Indian peacocks, including a rare white one, were donated to the UN Office at Geneva.
- This donation revives a tradition started by Indira Gandhi in 1981 with a peacock pair.
- The peacocks symbolize India's commitment to biodiversity and environmental conservation.
India has donated five Indian peacocks, including a rare white-feathered male, to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), reinstating a tradition. The handover ceremony, held recently, saw India's Permanent Representative, Arindam Bagchi, present the birds to UNOG Director-General Tatiana Valovaya.
The five young peacocks, comprising four blue peafowl and one white male, were selected to echo the United Nations' blue and white emblem. This act revives a practice initiated in 1981 when then-prime minister Indira Gandhi gifted a pair of peacocks from Delhi Zoo.
The Indian mission stated that the peacock, a symbol of grace and resilience, underscores India's steadfast commitment to conserving biodiversity and environmental stewardship. The birds will initially be housed in an enclosed area for three months before freely roaming in the expansive Ariana Park.
This contribution enriches the biodiversity of the UN premises and mirrors India's natural heritage and cultural ethos. It further highlights India's enduring partnership with the UN, reaffirming its dedication to multilateralism and global cooperation.
