HYDERABAD: Banned Chinese manja once again turned into a menace for Hyderabad’s avifauna as hundreds of birds were maimed during the Sankranti festivities.
According to Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA) workers, they rescued 38 birds entangled in Chinese manja in the last two days with one pigeon succumbing to fatal injuries.
“It’s worse this year, we rescued 14 of them yesterday and 24 of them today (Sunday). A pigeon died by the time we reached the spot. Some of the birds include Indian eagles, pigeons and crows,” Soudharm Bhandari, an animal welfare officer (AWO) and head of GHSPCA told TOI.
The glass-coated nylon thread continued to be sold across Hyderabad’s kite market this year and several birds were found trapped on high branches, lamp posts and electric poles which required human intervention. Animal Warriors Conservation Society (AWCS), another animal welfare NGO based in Hyderabad rescued a total of 70 birds in the last two days.
“We are a team of four people and we received calls from across the city. Pigeons, crows, black kites, sunbirds are some of the birds we rescued,” Pradeep Parakuth, founder of AWCS told TOI.
Experts note that it’s just the beginning of a year-long problem as post-Sankranti, the leftover Chinese manja on trees, electric poles and other elevated regions will continue to pose a threat to the birds.
Pradeep explained that recently a painted stork was rescued by local police but died during treatment after a Chinese manja cut through its left-wing and even the bone. “The bird bled a lot and eventually passed away despite taking a lot of effort,” Pradeep added.
Last year alone, AWCS rescued over 250 birds that were injured due to Chinese manja and claims that it’s a small number compared to previous years. “Due to COVID, last Sankranti did not see a lot of kites flying and enforcement against the trade of Chinese manja bore fruit. But, this year, it has gotten worse,” Pradeep said.
