A Sacred Tradition's Dark Shadow: The Fight to Save Telangana's State Bird

As the vibrant festival of Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, paints the streets with joy and devotion, a somber reality unfolds for Telangana’s state bird, the magnificent Indian Roller, affectionately known as the ‘Palapitta’. This iridescent blue marvel, a symbol of good fortune and prosperity, finds itself caught in a harrowing annual tradition that threatens its very existence.

For generations, the sight of a Palapitta on Dussehra has been believed to usher in luck and happiness.

This deeply ingrained cultural belief, however, has inadvertently led to a cruel hunt. Poachers, driven by demand and superstition, capture these beautiful birds from their natural habitats, often subjecting them to immense stress and injury. They are then paraded in cages, offered for a fleeting 'darshan' (sighting) to devotees, and typically released, albeit in a weakened state.

While the intention behind the ritual may be benign, the consequences are anything but.

Many Palapittas succumb to injuries sustained during capture, the trauma of confinement, or the sheer exhaustion of being handled repeatedly. Their delicate wings can be clipped, their legs bound, and their spirits broken. For a bird that thrives in the freedom of the skies, this annual ordeal is a death sentence for a significant number.

This tragic practice directly contravenes the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, under which the Indian Roller is a protected species.

Catching, possessing, or trading these birds is a serious offense, yet the demand spikes dramatically each Dussehra, creating a thriving, illegal market.

Conservationists, wildlife activists, and the Forest Department of Telangana are waging a relentless battle against this destructive tradition.

Through extensive awareness campaigns, they strive to educate the public about the cruelty involved and the ecological impact of such practices. Raids are conducted to apprehend poachers and rescue captured birds, but the deep roots of the superstition make it an uphill struggle.

Organisations like the Hyderabad-based Animal Welfare Board and various bird conservation groups intensify their efforts during the festive season, appealing to people's conscience and reminding them that true reverence for nature lies in protecting its creatures, not exploiting them.

They emphasize that observing the Palapitta in its natural habitat, flying free, is the real blessing.

The plight of the Palapitta serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between tradition and conservation. While cultural practices are invaluable, they must evolve to respect and protect the natural world.

It is a shared responsibility to ensure that the beauty of the Palapitta continues to grace Telangana’s skies, not as a captive spectacle, but as a vibrant emblem of the state’s rich biodiversity, free and thriving for generations to come.