A week ahead of Uttarayan, calls about bird wounded by manja have started rising.
In the first week of January, 482 injured birds including several migratory birds were brought to the Jivdaya Charitable Trust (JCT) and the state forest department. Most of them had been inflicted by manja (kite string). These numbers are similar to the corresponding period last year.
There were two vultures, two kites, a peacock, a painted stork and two sarus cranes among the injured birds at JCT.
With winds turning conducive, enthusiasts have began flying kites mid-December. There has been a rise in injured birds since then.
An average of 70 injured birds are attended to at JCT every day. Ten percent of these die.
On the days of Uttarayan and Vasi Uttarayan, 300-500 reports of injured birds are received. Bird rescuers say they are witnessing increased numbers of cases involving nylon kite string (colloquially called Chinese manja).
The nylon manja is lethal as it cuts through the muscles and nerves of birds. If their wings are entangled, they fall and suffer fractures too. Bigger birds are more vulnerable to fatal wounds in such cases.
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