Jaipur Bird Rescue Camps Face Surge in Manjha Injuries During Kite Festival
Bird rescue camps across Jaipur are experiencing a dramatic rise in cases of birds injured by dangerous manjha kite strings. This alarming trend has sparked fresh demands for a strict ban on the hazardous material. Activists and volunteers report a significant jump in distress calls since the weekend. They worry the situation will deteriorate further as kite flying reaches its peak during the festival.
Severe Injuries from Synthetic Strings
Rescue workers explain that the injuries are primarily caused by sharp synthetic manjha strings. These strings slice through the wings, necks, and bodies of birds. The wounds are often severe and life-threatening. Volunteers emphasize the urgent need for safer alternatives to protect avian life.
Round-the-Clock Rescue Efforts at Ramniwas Bagh
A temporary bird rescue camp established at Ramniwas Bagh by the organization RAKSHA is operating non-stop. Volunteers are treating injured birds day and night. Rohit Gangwal from RAKSHA stated that the holiday season has become exceptionally perilous for birds. He said the surge in kite flying during holidays is proving fatal for many birds. The rescue center receives continuous calls, and the number increases daily.
Gangwal added that the camp attracts volunteers from across Rajasthan and other Indian states. Some volunteers even come from other countries. The camp benefits from the expertise of three doctors from London. Dr Ashley Clayton, Dr Hayley Ayers, and Dr Matthew Randle are using modern surgical tools to treat the birds. They provide intensive care unit support for larger birds requiring critical attention.
Coordination Challenges and Silent Deaths
Syed Yumna, a volunteer from Srinagar, is coordinating rescue operations at the camp. He manages the registration of injured birds and dispatches rescue teams. Yumna confirms that calls are arriving non-stop, overwhelming the available resources.
Veteran bird rescuer Sahil Singhal issued a grave warning about the true extent of the problem. He estimates that rescue teams receive information about only ten percent of injured birds. In nearly eighty percent of cases, injuries go completely unreported. Many birds suffer silently and die without receiving any help.
The situation highlights a critical animal welfare issue during popular cultural festivals. Activists urge the public to use only safe, cotton-based strings for kite flying. They also call for stricter enforcement of existing regulations against synthetic manjha. The collective effort aims to reduce the unnecessary suffering and death of countless birds in Jaipur and beyond.
