HELP THE BIRDS

Come January, citizens across the nation prepare to welcome the season of harvest through various festivals, Lohri in Punjab, Uttrayani in Uttrakhand, Bhogali Bihu in Assam, Sankranthi in Kerala, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and Uttrayana in Rajasthan and Gujarat. While most states dance away to celebrate and welcome the season, Gujarat celebrates it by flying kites on January the 14th and 15th every year!


The vibrancy of the state, backed by "Vibrant Gujarat" brand name proudly adorned by the Government of Gujarat, is found in flying kites!!! What wrong in it is the "cut-throat" competition to cut kites of the other enthusiast, which straight away results in loss of the endangered bird life. Manja (Glass Coated Strings) which are razor sharp, cut the wings of the birds and are killed (if untreated) or grounded for life. The magnitude of the "massacre" multiplies as it coincides with the migratory season of the birds. Gujarat boasts of some of the best birding places with a number of sanctuaries dedicated to birds. Millions of birds visit Gujarat as they find it a safe haven, but really so?

A few NGOs learned this lesson and started to rescue birds which fell victim to the festivities, but soon realized how the state including THE FOREST DEPARTMENT is ill-equipped by all means to handle the disaster of this magnitude. Our National Bird, and "other" species of all Schedules are "butchered" as the state looks upon its vibrancy.

The apathy of the state is so bad that there is not even one good Bird Hospital (when you have lacs of birds visiting) with Gas Anesthetizer and basic surgical equipment. Veterinarians of the state have studied anatomy, biology, and medicines of cattle, dogs, and cats!!! Not even a single veterinarian is specializing in Avian Veterinary Sciences, who can handle critical surgical procedures or even operate a Gas Anesthetizer. The Gujarat State Forest Department does not have any veterinarian specializing in Birds!!!

See what actually happens PICTURE GALLERY/ SLIDE SHOW

So far the figures of NGOs rescuing and treating birds goes in thousands with a huge ratio of fatalities, thanks to insufficient funds, support, and expertise! Over 126 species of birds have been reported so far to be the victims of this festival. To name a few are: Indian Peafowl, Vultures (White-rumped, Eurasian Griffon, Egyptian), Crested Serpent Eagles, Owls, Peregrine Falcons, Laggar Falcons, Shikras, Flamingos (Our State Bird), Pelicans, Pigeons, Kites, Bats, and many shorebirds. Where World Authorities on Birds are trying their best by putting in all the available resources to save the species, Gujarat State looks upon (or rather not!) and sits haplessly.

The carnage is not limited to only two days, but more than a month...as people start flying kites right from December. Also, dangling Manjas (Glass-coated Strings) on the trees and buildings pose a huge threat to birds till the time they are dangling.

The need of the hour is to "Manage" the entire show, right from volunteer management to set up a fully equipped Bird Facility in the cities where the Kite Flying is a very high magnitude. To start up with Ahmedabad, Baroda and Surat! Bird Ambulances, equipment, the supply of medicines, trained managers, volunteers for birds' post-operative care, limited activity and flight aviaries, temperature controlled environs, a lot of knowledge and a Will To Do, is what is required! And of course, Good Veterinarians!!!

Doesn't the carnage or mass poaching of rare and endangered birds of the state fall under The Gujarat State Forest Department? or they are only out to protect, (???) equipped to protect (???) the wildlife within sanctuaries and national parks!!! Isn't this what a State Government is supposed to do? Definitely doing this may not earn Votes, but then there is so much more to it!!!

I am not here to demean anyone, but this is an attempt to convey, that it's about time that the State Forest Department takes on the charge and creates an example!!! The time for the Media to come up with Breaking News and The Headlines and for the people to understand! People may not stop flying kites, but at least birds can be rescued, treated and released to where they belong!!! After all, Gujarat is known for its hospitality, and we do not treat our guests like this, do we?


From the Land of Mahatma Gandhi, his words "A Society is judged by the way it treats it's animals"

PICTURE GALLERY/ SLIDE SHOW

Further Read:
http://www.hsus.org/about_us/humane_society_international_hsi/cruelty_issues_around_the_world/india_kite_festival.html
http://www.nationalbirdsofpreytrust.net/vultureconservation%20update%200907.pdf
http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=2159&cattype=NEWS
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Docs_flock_to_save_winged_victims/articleshow/2688055.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/34499073.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1173808.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-425592,prtpage-1.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/991486.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1359139,prtpage-1.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/419246.cms

If Pakistan can, Why can't we?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2978988.stm

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