India has gifted five Indian peafowls, among them a rare white-feathered bird, to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), restoring a tradition that dates back several decades.

During a special ceremony on Friday, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi, officially presented the five peacocks to UNOG Director-General Tatiana Valovaya, underscoring India’s rich natural heritage and its dedication to multilateral cooperation.

The group of five young peacocks includes four blue peafowl and one white-feathered male, symbolizing the blue and white colors linked to the United Nations.

This donation marks the second occasion on which India has gifted peacocks to UNOG.

In 1981, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent a breeding pair from the Delhi Zoo.

"The Indian Peacock, a symbol of grace, beauty and resilience, reflects India's lasting dedication to protecting biodiversity and promoting environmental stewardship," the Indian mission stated.

Valovaya conveyed gratitude to the Indian government for the gesture, according to a release from the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva. "It's really a dream habitat for them," said Tobias Blaha, Director of the Geneva Bioparc zoo, which will manage the birds' care together with UN staff.

The peacocks will first stay in a confined habitat for approximately three months before being released to wander freely in Ariana Park, home to the UN’s European headquarters.

Spanning 46 hectares, Ariana Park is one of Geneva’s largest and most notable green spaces.

The City of Geneva initially allocated the park for the offices of the League of Nations and subsequently for those of the United Nations, under an agreement that will remain in force for as long as the UN exists.

Peacocks have inhabited Ariana Park for over a hundred years, a tradition that began before the creation of both the League of Nations and the United Nations.

The custom originated with Swiss archaeologist and art collector Gustave Revilliod, who in 1890 left the estate now the site of the UN complex to the city of Geneva.

The majority of the birds currently visible to visitors were gifted to UNOG in 1997 by a zoo located in Japan.

India's contribution enriches the biodiversity of the UN grounds and showcases the nation's natural heritage and cultural values, the Indian mission stated.

The initiative also highlights India's enduring collaboration with the UN and reinforces its dedication to multilateralism and global cooperation, it added.