Telangana government has decided to take bold step to save the state bird, Palapitta. The government had directed temple managements not to entertain display of Palapittas during Dusshera on the temple premises or environs. They clarified that these birds are protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and any violation of this protection will attract a penalty of Rs. 25,000 and up to three years of imprisonment.
[m9ad]
People believe it as auspicious to see Palapitta on Dussehra day. Poachers and traders take advantage of the common belief that they capture the birds staring a month before the festival. They tie their legs with thread, trim their wings and stick them with glue to stop them from flying.
More cruelly they do not even feed these birds till the day of Dusshera and kept in small cages for public viewing. Even though they leave them after Dussehra, most of these birds die in captivity or immediately after being released. The State Animal Welfare Board and the Telangana State Biodiversity Board along with Humane Society International (HSI) are trying to end this cruelty.
