Navi Mumbai: With the commencement of Navratri celebrations, the arrival of Indian roller birds turned out to be auspicious for those farming on the Kharghar sector 1 railway track side. Their sighting at the same usual spot starts during Dussehra and Vijaydashami, reveal the birders. Known as farmers’ friends, they turn out to be natural pest controllers to help those farmers.Naturalist Pradeep Choudhary and wildlife photographer Abhay Joshi had spotted and clicked the bird on Thursday. Choudhary has been clicking them with his camera lens for the last five years after relocating to Kharghar. Every year the birds reach the same spot during Dussehra/Navratri. They stay here till April next year.The highest number of birds clicked in one season so far is five. They came to prey upon the insects generated after the monsoon season. They leave the area for the forests. The food web for these birds at this temporary place attracts wildlife photographers. These birds make the land valuable for farming by preying on spiders, small reptiles, among others.Choudhary claimed, “The digging of the farmland by the farmers results in the insects coming out. This provides them enough food to stay in the area. Less pollution, because of insect food availability and water their turn up rises. Another 3-4 will come within a month’s time.”The farmers here cultivate spinach, radish, red spinach, cowpea, among others. However, the farmers left these lands open during monsoon, leading to the growth of grass and weeds. Ploughing the land parcels helps the insects and other animals come out.The bird’s turquoise and indigo plumage is believed to mirror the divine blue throat, causing it to be viewed as a manifestation or messenger of Lord Shiva who swallowed poison during Samudra Manthan. Lord Rama spotted a Neelkanth (the Indian roller) just before his battle and won over Ravana. Also, seeing the bird during Dussehra/Navratri brings good luck, prosperity and the absolution of sins.
