Death by a thousand cuts

Uttarayan is regarded as one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Gujarat. It is marked by the festive cheer, shopping, seasonal foods and terraces filled with revellers. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker

Kites may add colour to the sky but at the same time, they are fatal for birds that get caught in the strings and suffer severe injuries. The Chinese glass-coated manjha causes injuries to humans as well. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker

Close to 10,571 birds were injured by the glass-coated manjha used to fly kites during Uttarayan festival in 2018. Around 9,752 out of these birds were discharged after treatment. Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot accounted for 76 per cent of the cases. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker

The non-profit Jeevdaya charitable trust has launched a 'save the bird' campaign to raise awareness on the issue. Also, the state government has launched a ‘Karuna Abhiyan’ drive between January 10 and 20, 2019, to call in volunteers to rescue injured birds. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker

Control rooms have been set up in different cities and towns to resuscitate rescued birds. More than 500 veterinary doctors, 6,000 volunteers, 290 rescue teams, 1,072 forest staff, 126 NGOs and 30 animal ambulances have been pressed into action this Uttarayan. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker

In July 2017, the National Green Tribunal banned the use of nylon, Chinese and synthetic (glass-coated) manjha. However, despite police crackdowns, its sale and use continue unabated. Photo: Gajanan Khergamker