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Indian Roller Bird Upgraded to 'Near Threatened' on IUCN Red List
12 Oct
Summary
- Indian roller population declined by 30% in 12 years
- Bird is protected but still used in Durga Puja rituals
- Threats include pesticide use and high prevalence in trade
As of October 12th, 2025, the Indian roller, a protected bird in India, has been upgraded on the IUCN Red List from 'least concern' to 'near threatened', indicating a high risk of extinction in the wild. The bird's population has declined by 30% across India over the past 12 years.
In the state of West Bengal, the Indian roller, also known as 'neelkantha', has traditionally been released as part of the Durga Puja festival's Dashami rituals in some 'bonedi bari' pujas. While this practice was once common in Kolkata, many pujas have now shifted to using symbolic birds made of clay and 'shola' instead. However, some pujas on the outskirts of the city are still continuing the tradition of releasing the live birds.
The IUCN's revised assessment has noted that the Indian roller is considered sacred due to its association with Lord Shiva and is sometimes caught, though usually released, during festivals. Other threats to the species include pesticide use and high prevalence in the wildlife trade. The bird's habitat includes open grasslands, scrub forests, and agricultural fields in tropical and subtropical parts of Asia, with the largest populations found in India.
The State of India's Birds 2023 report had suggested that the IUCN uplift the Indian roller's status, and the global conservation body has now acted on this recommendation. As the bird faces an increasing risk of extinction, authorities in West Bengal have initiated action to address the issue of its use in traditional rituals.
