The Indian Roller, locally known as ‘Palapitta’ and the State bird of Telangana, continues to face threats during the Dasara festival, with illegal capture and display on the rise despite wildlife protection laws. The birds are often targeted due to a widespread superstition that seeing or handling them during Dasara brings good luck or absolves sins. As a result, many Palapittas are caged, have their wings clipped or bound, or even glued to prevent flight. Pradeep Nair of the Animal Warriors Conservation Society said, “Temples increasingly engage poachers to capture Palapittas for devotees. The activists stress that temples and devotees must celebrate Dasara in ways that are safe for both humans and animals, strictly adhering to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.