Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader and former MLA T. Jayaprakash ‘Jagga’ Reddy could face a fine of Rs 25,000 for being party to illegal trapping and display of the Indian roller, pala pitta, the state bird of Telangana, during the recent Dasara celebrations.
Forest department officials said they served a notice to Jagga Reddy for displaying trapped Indian rollers, along with his family, in Sangareddy on October 12. The crime of trapping the birds or handling them attracts a minimum fine of Rs 25,000 or imprisonment up to three years or both as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
It is learnt that the officials faced several issues in serving him a notice. He was not available at his residence in his constituency. They also tried to hand over the notice to him at Gandhi Bhavan, the party headquarters. Finally, after several attempts, the notice was handed over after the Congress leader was informed that the officials would have no option but to paste it on his house.
Sources said Jagga Reddy has about a week to respond and is expected to do so through his lawyer, and that he also informed the forest officials that he was unaware that the Indian roller should not be trapped. Traditionally, spotting the pala pitta on Dasara is considered auspicious, and it is not uncommon for the bird to be trapped and shown to people.
In the Sangareddy incident, Jagga Reddy carried four Indian rollers onto a stage, and the birds were subsequently released by his family members.
Senior forest department officials said there was no question of being lenient in the case as a strong signal needed to be sent that trapping wildlife was an offence that can attract stringent punishment.
“Despite our best efforts, every year, we come across such instances during Dasara. Hopefully, this case will send a strong message to everyone and will help in stopping the practice of trapping the Indian Roller and displaying it,” a senior forest department official said.
