Jagga Reddy sparks row with ill-treatment of Telangana State bird during Dasara

The Congress leader, along with his family, held the birds inappropriately to display them to citizens in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

Sangareddy: TPCC working president and former Sangareddy MLA T Jayaprakash Reddy, known as Jagga Reddy, courted controversy after he put four Indian rollers (Coracias benghalensis), the State bird of Telangana, in a cage to display them during Dasara festivities organised at the Ambedkar Stadium in the town recently.

Jagga Reddy, his wife and Telangana Industrial and Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) Limited chairman T Nirmala Reddy, their daughter Jaya Reddy and son Bharath Sai Reddy also held the birds inappropriately while displaying them in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

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When Jagga Reddy’s followers shared the pictures and videos on social media, the pictures and videos went viral, drawing criticism from many. Some wildlife activists complained to the Chief Wildlife Warden, Telangana, Elusing Meru, seeking action against Jagga Reddy and his family members.

According to sources, a local Congress leader got the Indian rollers trapped by roping in a hunter to impress Jagga Reddy during the Dasara festivities. Despite the Telangana Forest Department warning citizens ahead of every Dasara festival against caging Indian rollers, such incidents have repeatedly happened, leaving wildlife activists worried.

Despite the State of Indian Birds (SoIB) finding that the population of the Indian roller declined by 35 per cent, the Forest department had turned a blind eye towards activities of trapping the rare bird in Sangareddy. The wildlife activists demanded stern action against Jagga Reddy for caging the bird and getting it trapped.