On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a city-based NGO will be installing two mobile medical vans in the city in order to provide first aid to birds found injured by kites. The NGO has also provided an emergency helpline number to help people who are stuck with injured birds and want to help them.
Plants and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is the NGO which has taken the initiative to rescue the injured birds in Mumbai during the festival. Sunish Subramanian, the founder and secretary of PAWS, Mumbai said, “Our NGO has started this initiative with the intention to provide medical assistance to birds during the festive season. There will be two emergency vans, which will go to the spot along with the rescue team and provide medical treatment to the bird. Also, two of the PAWS volunteers will be available for assistance on bikes.”
The NGO has also requested people to refrain from using manja or the Chinese manja.
Mr Subramanian said, “We are not of the view that people should not celebrate the festival, but they should be more aware about their environment. On Makar Sankranti, the manja that people use for flying kites is very hazardous for birds. Many birds becomes handicapped for life. Just by opting for regular thread instead of the lethal manja, this can be avoided.”