Faith-driven hunt threatens survival of Telangana’s State bird, Palapitta

The Indian Roller, locally known as ‘Palapitta’ and the State bird of Telangana, continues to face threats during the Dasara festival, with illegal capture and display on the rise despite wildlife protection laws.

The birds are often targeted due to a widespread superstition that seeing or handling them during Dasara brings good luck or absolves sins. As a result, many Palapittas are caged, have their wings clipped or bound, or even glued to prevent flight. Improper diet, stress and injuries following capture frequently lead to their death before or after the festival.

An installation of Indian Roller, called Palapitta in Telugu parlance, catches the attention of passersby on Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.
| Photo Credit:
File Photo

Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA) coordinator Soudharm Bhandari shared rescue statistics from recent years, noting a gradual increase: three in 2019, five in 2020, 11 in 2021, eight each in 2022 and 2023z, and nine in 2024.

“After rescue, our trained volunteers, under veterinary supervision, carefully remove bindings and cages and release the healthy birds back into suitable habitats,” he said.

The public is urged to report sightings of captured birds to the GHSPCA emergency numbers: 9394578568 or 8886743881.

Animal activists warn that the problem is exacerbated by cultural practices and growing festival crowds. Pradeep Nair of the Animal Warriors Conservation Society said, “Temples increasingly engage poachers to capture Palapittas for devotees. These migratory birds normally feed on insects across fields, but their natural visibility is declining due to habitat loss and urbanisation. The birds suffer greatly when confined to small cages and exposed to human touch, often dying from dehydration, organ failure or trauma.” 

Mr.Nair highlighted that while offering milk or water is well-intentioned, it cannot mitigate the harm caused. Beyond the immediate suffering, the decline in the number of Palapittas has ecological consequences, as these birds play an important role in controlling insect populations that can damage crops.

Efforts by NGOs and authorities to curb this practice have been ongoing for more than a decade. Panneru Pridhvi, founder and secretary of Citizens for Animals, said, “Humane World for Animals India and Citizens for Animals are working with the Telangana Forest Department through awareness campaigns and temple outreach to prevent illegal capture and display. Even last year, around 10 Palapittas were found to be illegally held in Hyderabad. We urge the public to report any such cases immediately to the Forest Department helpline at 98033-38666 or Citizens for Animals at 78422-27344.”

With the festival drawing large crowds, authorities and NGOs have increased monitoring of temples and public spaces, and meetings are planned to strengthen collaboration on wildlife protection. The activists stress that temples and devotees must celebrate Dasara in ways that are safe for both humans and animals, strictly adhering to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.