The Telangana Forest Department and Humane World for Animals India have urged the public to report the illegal capture or display of Palapitta, or the Indian Roller, during Dasara festivities, warning that birds are subjected to severe cruelty to support festival-related beliefs.
The appeal was issued ahead of Dasara amid concerns over declining sightings of the Palapitta in Telangana. Humane World for Animals India, formerly known as Humane Society International/India, said the species faces threats including habitat loss, pesticide use and illegal trapping across India.
The Palapitta is Telangana’s state bird and is protected under Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, according to the appeal. The protection status makes the illegal capture and confinement of the bird a wildlife offence, while the department’s helplines provide a channel for citizens to alert authorities about suspected violations.
The organisations said the practice is linked to the traditional belief that sighting a Palapitta during Dasara brings good luck. To ensure that people can see the bird during the festival, birds are allegedly captured from the wild and displayed after being restrained. The press release said their wings may be glued or their feet immobilised, preventing them from flying and causing significant suffering and death soon afterwards.
“Capturing these birds disrupts their lives and prevents them from carrying out their natural behaviors. We can preserve the spirit of our traditions without taking wildlife away from its natural habitat. The true auspicious beginning is one rooted in kindness, not cruelty,” Mishi Aggarwal of Humane World for Animals India said.
The appeal places responsibility for reporting suspected cases with residents, particularly during the period when Dasara-related sightings may increase. Citizens who witness or suspect the illegal capture or confinement of a Palapitta can contact the Telangana Forest Department on 9803338666 or 1800-425-5364.
The organisations said animal protection groups in Hyderabad have worked in recent years to curb the practice through awareness campaigns, enforcement support and collaboration with local communities. The current appeal combines that awareness effort with a direct request for public reporting, allowing the Forest Department to receive information about birds that may have been captured or displayed illegally.
The Indian Roller is found in open landscapes and is recognised by its distinctive blue wings, but the material supplied for the appeal does not provide current population figures for Telangana or details of enforcement action during earlier Dasara seasons. The department’s helplines remain the immediate official channels identified for reporting suspected cases during the festivities.
