The Indian Roller Call To Save Pala Pitta, the Cultural Icon, From Extinction

Hyderabad: The recent ‘State of Indian Birds' (SoIB) report shows that there has been a 35 per cent decline in the population of pala pitta, the state bird of Telangana, also known as the Indian roller or blue jay, over the past decade.

“The Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis) is also the state bird of Karnataka and Odisha,” said Sriram Reddy, a city-based birdwatcher, adding that the bird is facing increasing threats from habitat loss and human activity across the country.

"I’ve noticed a decline in their sightings. Earlier, they were easily spotted in the city and, lately, in the outskirts of Hyderabad. Now, they are very rare," Reddy said.

He cites habitat destruction and the shrinking of open grasslands as the primary reasons for the decline in the bird's population.

The widespread use of pesticides and insecticides has also reduced insect population, threatening the bird's food supply.

"The overuse of chemicals in farming is a major threat," the birdwatcher added.

Apart from its ecological role, the Indian Roller holds cultural importance, especially during festivals like Dasara.

“There is a tale that says that Lord Rama, before he killed Ravana, saw the bird, which is considered lucky, especially if spotted on Dasara day,” said Sathya Reddy, another bird photographer from the city.

“These birds are countryside birds. Like black-winged kites, they have adapted to perch on wires alongside fields, but overuse of insecticides by farmers is killing their food. This is what conservationists have been pointing out.”

Public awareness and reducing harmful practices are essential to save this species from further decline, Sathya Reddy opined.