Hyderabad Police Rescue Four Palapittas Ahead of Dasara, Warn Against Capturing Birds
Hyderabad, Oct 21 The Freedom Press: Hyderabad City Police rescued four palapittas, the state bird of Telangana, from cages at three locations across the city ahead of Dasara, following information provided by alert citizens.
The birds were rescued from areas near temples in Langar Houz, Chatrinaka and Mangalhat. Police teams subsequently handed them over to Forest Department officials for further care.
Two palapittas were rescued from cages placed near a temple close to Bapughat in Langar Houz. Another bird was found confined in a cage hanging from a tree near the Sri Chitragupta Swamy Temple in Chatrinaka. The fourth bird was rescued from a cage near a temple in Balajinagar, Mangalhat.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said legal action would be initiated against those responsible for keeping the birds in captivity, in coordination with the Forest Department.
He expressed concern that despite prior warnings against capturing and mistreating birds during the festival, some people continued the practice.
Sajjanar criticised the confinement of birds in the name of religious traditions, emphasising that compassion towards living beings was the true expression of devotion. He appealed to the public not to encourage the capture of birds for personal gain or as part of festival-related practices.
The Indian roller, popularly known as palapitta in Telugu, is the state bird of Telangana. The practice of capturing these birds during Dasara has raised concerns among wildlife protection authorities over animal welfare and the need to prevent the illegal or harmful treatment of birds.
Police urged citizens to remain vigilant and report incidents involving the capture or mistreatment of wildlife. Complaints can be lodged through the toll-free numbers 18004255364 and 9803338666, or by dialling the emergency helpline 112.
The police reiterated the importance of public cooperation in protecting wildlife and ensuring that festival celebrations do not cause harm to birds or other living beings. (eom)
