our persons were caught while displaying the State bird Blue Jay (Pala Pitta) during the Dasara festivities at Kanaka Durga temple in Warasiguda, Skandagiri temple in Padmarao Nagar and Katta Maisamma temple in Chilkalguda.
For the past few days, volunteers from State Forest Department, Blue Cross Hyderabad (BCH), People for Animals (PFA) and Human Society International (HSI) had stationed scouting teams near a host of temples in Hyderabad.
The idea was to catch persons who were indulging in display of the Indian Roller during the festivities.
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An FIR has been registered under Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA), 1972 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (PCA), 1960 at Chilkalguda police station.
The rescue operation of the Indian Roller was planned as part of the campaign launched by the Forest Department and local NGOs against the capture, display and cruelty towards Pala Pitta in temples in the State during Dasara celebrations.
“The seized birds are in safe hands now. Due to sustained awareness campaign, this year, there was a marked decline in the number of birds that were captured,” says N. Pravallika of BCH, Hyderabad.
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“Due to extensive campaign, incidence of capturing and exhibiting the bird has come down. Our department will follow up on the criminal case so that the culprits are brought to book. We also plan to counsel the defaulters,” assures Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, P.K. Sharma.
C. Samyukta, Campaign Manager, HIS, India, said that awareness on the issue was vital.
“Coordinated effort between all our teams has definitely helped. However, there is a lot more to do in future,” she added.
The seized birds are in
safe hands now. Due to sustained awareness campaign, there was a marked decline in the number of birds that were captured this year
N. Pravallika
Blue Cross Hyderabad