GHSPCA Urges People to Protect Birds During Sankranti

Hyderabad, India - As the Sankranti festival approaches, the Greater Hyderabad Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA) is urging people to take steps to protect birds from the dangers of kite strings and glass-coated threads.

These threads, which are commonly used for flying kites, pose a serious threat to birds and can cause injuries that can be fatal.

GHSPCA members, on their rounds around the city, are working tirelessly to rescue birds that have become entangled in these dangerous threads.

Professional veterinarians stress that these injuries can severely impair a bird's ability to fly, often leading to a prolonged treatment process and a higher mortality rate for rescued birds.

In compliance with a 2016 ban by the Tribunal Ecologico Nacional on the use of kite strings that harm wildlife, GHSPCA is warning of stiff penalties (up to ₹1 lakh fine and up to five years in jail) for those found selling or using nylon or glass-coated threads.

In 2023, GHSPCA rescued over 150 birds, but sadly, 50 of them died during treatment.

So far this year, GHSPCA has rescued eight birds.

To help ensure the safety of birds during kite-flying, GHSPCA is urging the public to:

  • Avoid using nylon kite strings or glass-coated threads.
  • Fly kites in the evening, when bird activity is lower, and avoid flying kites in the morning and at night.
  • Clean up debris left by kites immediately after the festival.
  • Seek the guidance of an expert when helping a bird; avoid using knives or arrows.
  • Contact animal welfare organizations for assistance in an emergency or for guidance on rescue.

For information about animals that are being kept in captivity or used for labor, citizens can contact GHSPCA members Soudaram Bhandegari and Sheik Hussain at 8886743881 or 9949602074.

GHSPCA rescue statistics from previous years:

2017: 106 birds 2018: 156 birds 2019: 57 birds 2020: 46 birds 2021: 56 birds 2022: 67 birds 2023: 72 birds 2024: 8 birds (as of January 9, 2024)

GHSPCA's ongoing efforts highlight the need for collective responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of birds during festive celebrations.

Key points:

  • GHSPCA is urging people to take steps to protect birds from the dangers of kite strings and glass-coated threads during the Sankranti festival.
  • These threads can cause serious injuries to birds, including injuries that can be fatal.
  • GHSPCA has rescued over 150 birds in the past, but sadly, many of them have died during treatment.
  • To help protect birds, GHSPCA is urging people to avoid using nylon kite strings or glass-coated threads, fly kites in the evening, clean up debris left by kites immediately after the festival, seek the guidance of an expert when helping a bird, and contact animal welfare organizations for assistance in an emergency or for guidance on rescue.

Additional information:

  • Makar Sankranti is a major Hindu festival that marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of the sun's northward journey. It is celebrated on January 14 or 15 in the Gregorian calendar.
  • Amavasya is the day of the new moon. In January 2024, the Amavasya falls on January 12.
  • Pongal is another major Hindu festival that is celebrated on the same day as Makar Sankranti.
  • Republic Day is the national holiday of India, which is celebrated on January 26.
  • Sankranthi muggulu are traditional rangolis that are drawn during the Sankranti festival.
  • The sun starts moving northward on Sankranti/Pongal towards the zodiac sign Capricorn.