Sunday, January 18, 2009
Makar Sankranti is synonymous with the flying of kites. However, animal lovers from our suburbs were worried about the injuries caused to birds on account of kite flying.
In the words of Salomi B, a young animal lover and PETA volunteer from Mulund, "Every year during this festive season, it is a common sight to see birds injured or dead as they often get entangled by the manja used by kite fliers. Crows, pigeons and other birds get killed due to the glass coated manja which is often found dangling from trees and terraces of buildings during and after the festival." In an attempt to create awareness about such dangers, Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a Bhandup based NGO went a step further by holding talks with children. Sunish S, from PAWS states, "Kite flying is a part of the tradition observed during this festival. We are not against kite flying but we also want the citizens to understand that kite flying can kill birds as they get helplessly caught in the manjas.”
Talking about the drive that he started last year, he further adds, “Last year, we started awareness drive in the western suburbs. Encouraged by the positive response, we started a similar drive in the suburbs of Mulund and Bhandup this year. When it comes to bird injuries, it seldom goes unreported and that is why this year we targeted school children in our awareness drive. Our volunteers talked to several children on an individual level in order to open their eyes and convince them on the dangers of kite flying."
On this Makar Sakranti, the volunteers of PAWS managed to rescue to 16 pigeons and two kites from our suburbs.
