Indian Roller, known as Palapitta in Telugu, sighted on the outskirts of Miryalaguda town in Nalgonda district.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
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:
