Under the peacock-breeding project launched by the Punjab Government, zookeepers at the Chhatbir Zoo will collect 50 peacock eggs from the lion safari here and send them to Bathinda to increase the peacock population in its Bir Talab forest and its adjoining areas. Increasing urbanisation and use of pesticides has taken its toll on this bird in Mansa, Bathinda, Muktsar, Moga, Ferozepur and Sangrur districts of the state. Besides collecting eggs from the Chhatbir Zoo, the government has also decided to collect peacock eggs from the Ludhiana zoo. Bird lovers and experts, however, opposing the move said this might reduce the peacock population at the Chhatbir, as peacocks may come under stress when they fail to find their eggs. Zoo field director Basanta Raj Kumar said,