Rescue trusts help injured birds back to normal during Uttarayan in Vadodara

Uttarayan is at its best and people are enjoying the kite festival with their families following the government guidelines. However the festival is considered to be nightmare for the birds as they entangled and lost their lives while came in contact with the deadly strings.

Every year during the two days of Uttarayan, a large number of birds like pigeons, crows, owls and many others die after hit by the deadly kite strings. However large numbers of birds are also rescued by life-saving organizations working full time during this time of the year.

Since the start of the first day the wildlife rescue trust start receiving the injured birds at their rescue centres. The camp at Kaladarshan crossing at Waghodia road recieved around 43 calls from 10 to 14th January which includes pigeons, crows and others. The volunteers attend them immediately and treat the birds.

As soon as kites start flying in the sky, the danger for birds like pigeons, crows, owls and others has started. Four to five birds injured by strings are being brought to the forest department every day for treatment. The Forest Department has announced a 24-hour treatment helpline number. They also start around 50 treatment camps in different parts of the city this year for the treatment of injured birds.

As many as 100 birds were saved injured during Uttarayan under the Karuna Abhiyan inspired by the Chief Minister. The campaign starts from 10th joined by Forest Department, a number of charitable organizations and volunteers from the District Administration, Vadodara Municipal Corporation team.

As a result, extensive rescue operations were carried out on the day of the festival and during the three days prior to that. After visiting different areas for ten days, information was given about the 50 centers started for the treatment and rescue of injured birds as well as what to do and what to do to protect the birds.

Yuvraj Singh from the wildlife rescue trust said, pigeons live in large numbers in urban areas so their number are higher among the injured birds. In addition, birds such as yellow beaks, herons, ducks and parrots were brought in for treatment. Commonly injured birds were released with the necessary treatment. Since this morning, there have been 38 pigeons, 1 samadi, 2 crows and 1 kakansar.

Birds with serious injuries and in need of prolonged treatment were kept as indoor patients at the Rescue Center in Sayajibaug. Last year, about 20 response cum rescue cells were set up under the Karuna Abhiyan. In which about 100 injured birds were treated.