Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary

Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary lies within the remains of the historic Bankapura Fort in Haveri district, Karnataka. Declared on 9 June 2006 because of the many peacocks in the area, it covers 139 acres, 90 of them a cattle-breeding farm set up in 1919. It is only the second sanctuary in India devoted solely to conserving and breeding peafowl.

The fort's high mounds and deep trenches suit the birds well. Its moat, up to 15 metres across and 8 metres deep, is lined with acacia, neem and ficus, and the maize, jowar and fodder grown for Khilari bulls provide food. More than 1,000 peacocks and peahens are estimated to live here, walking along the 4 km mound and perching in the trees. Other birds include the eagle-owl, grey hornbill, Asian green bee-eater, black-winged kite, kingfishers and parakeets.