Animal Warriors NGO rescues birds from Chinese manja in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Makar Sankranti is a significant harvest festival in Telugu states Telangana and Andhra Pradesh due to its unique rituals. The festival marks the transition of the sun into Capricorn and is observed with traditions like kite flying, bonfires, feasts, and prayers to the Sun god.
Kite-flying is the defining feature of this festival. However, the use of Chinese manja, which is a synthetic nylon string coated with abrasive materials like powdered glass and metal, may cause harm to humans, animals and birds.
Every year, we see reports of people and birds getting injured due to the use of banned manja for flying kites. During the festival season, the motorists face the risk of getting cuts caused by sharp strings while the bird’s wings and feet get entangled in the loop of abandoned and hanging manja.
According to RESQ Charitable Trust, more birds have been injured this year compared to last year. Several NGOs such as Animal Warriors Conservation Society are trying their best to treat and save the injured birds in the city. The members of the NGO said that scores of the birds migrate from distant countries like Siberia to escape the harsh winter and end up dying or getting injured around this time of the year due to the use of Chinese manja.
Currently, the NGO is treating over 60 birds who were injured in the kite-related incidents. Explaining the rescue method of an entangled bird, Pradeep Nair, founder of Animal Warriors, said when someone finds a bird caught in manja and hanging by the strings, they should not pull the bird down as the sharp strings of manja will either rip off the wing or its talon and the bird may die instantly.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad police carried out raids in the city and seized 7,334 bobbins of Chinese manja worth over Rs. 88 lakh. They also registered 107 cases against 148 accused individuals who were involved in the illegal trade of Chinese manja.