Hyderabad: Palapitta, the state bird of Telangana, is being sold for as little as '50, with poachers and traders exploiting the belief that sighting the bird is a lucky omen during Dasara.
The birds are captured a month before the festival, their legs tied, wings trimmed and stuck with glue to prevent them from flying.
Palapitta (Indian Roller or Blue Jay) or Coracias Benghalensis, is protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 which makes its capture, hunting and trade illegal.
Ms Navamita Mukherjee of Humane Society International said, “The birds are usually starved till Dasara and kept in small cages for public viewing. Most of these birds die in captivity or immediately after being released. During Dasara, many devotees pay to buy these birds from local markets and release them as a good deed which they believe will absolve them of their sins.”
Following complaints, the department of animal husbandry has asked the police, foresters and the State Animal Welfare Board to prevent the illegal capture and trade of Palapittas.
