Glass-coated manjha proves deadly for birds

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Glass-coated-manjha-proves-deadly-for-birds/articleshow/18012162.cms

JAIPUR: Clear skies, mild weather and a holiday may be perfect for people to take to flying kites but it proved fatal for the winged creatures.

With each and every passing hour on Sunday, the casualty for birds increased despite animal rights activists working hard to minimize the death toll. During Makar Sankranti, people fly kites by the thousands. Unfortunately, they use glass-coated thread (manjha) to fly the kites and birds get entangled leading to cuts, damaged wings and nerve injuries. The animal activists are leaving no stone unturned to help the injured birds during this period.

Figures coming in from different animal right groups said nearly 80 casualties were reported. These groups have received around 200 calls seeking help for birds during the day mostly from the Walled City and other densely populated areas. Makeshift hospitals and camps are set up at Raja Park, Ramnivas Garden, Amrapali Circle and Gopalpura to treat the birds. The volunteers include veterinary doctors, students, professionals and general public.

These groups have been distributing their helpline numbers to reach out to people so that any bird casualty can be reported. Dr Vikas Sharma, veterinarian and head of Environment and Wildlife Care Society (EWCS) said, "We appeal to the people not to fly kites with glass-coated manja. And if they do, at least keep the helpline numbers handy so that our volunteers can reach out to the affected birds."

Among the injured reported on Sunday were peacocks, eagles, parrots, parakeets and many pigeons. Sahil Singhal, secretary of the People for Animals, said, "As the awareness on the helpline numbers and camps are rising, the calls are increasing and so do the casualties."

A maximum number of injured birds died due to lack of proper medical facilities. People overlook the injured birds as they do not have proper knowledge about the treatment. The groups also appealed to the callers that they should monitor the injured bird till the volunteers come as in most cases birds either become prey to dogs or disappears.

The loud music from the past two days is also causing severe problem to birds and animals. Most birds and animals, especially dogs and cats, are highly sensitive to sound. "Any loud sound becomes unbearable for them especially during morning and evening hours. Many birds lost track of their habitat due to the music," Sharma added.

Manja menace for 250 birds

Animal lovers and activists from across the city were on their toes yesterday after some 250-odd birds were brought in for medical treatment, after the manja (cotton threat coated with powered glass) used for flying kites on Makar Sankranti left them wounded.

"We have organised a medical camp for birds from Jan 14 to Jan 16. Till now, we have treated nearly 110 birds, of which some are seriously injured and have either lost a wing or a leg. These birds won't be able to fly again," said Hirachand Sanklecha of Chira Bazaar Jain Saangh that has arranged a medical camp for injured birds at Chira Bazaar in South Mumbai.

"Since pigeons fly in a flock, they are the worst affected. We have carried out a campaign, requesting people to use regular thread instead of manja for flying kites," said Lt Col (Retd) J C Khanna, secretary, Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA). "So far, we have treated around 20 pigeons, seven owls, seven kites, three crows, two cuckoos. Besides, around 150 seriously injured pigeons have been brought to our Parel hospital. Birds are coming from areas like Gateway of India, Girgaum and Dadar," said Khanna.

Similarly, Plant and Animal Welfare Society received around 12 pigeons, two kites, a sparrow, and an owl.

"Medical camps will be conducted between Thane and Powai for two more days, as people tend to fly kites until their stock lasts. Thankfully, school kids and college students have joined us in our campaign," said Sunish Subramanian, founder and secretary, PAWS, Mumbai. "We have alerted residents in our area to inform us if they spot a bird entangled in manja. The more the birds try to free itself off the manja, the deeper it cuts," added Subramanian.

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2012/jan/160112-Manja-menace-for-250-birds.htm

PETA to honour Pak Chief Justice for banning kite string

Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India today said it will honour Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry for banning the use of kite manja (sharp string) in Punjab province of the neighboring country.

"Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry is being sent an award by PETA India for banning cruel manja in the Punjab province of Pakistan," said PETA India Manager (media and celebrity projects) Sachin Bangera.

"PETA India has been working towards banning the use of metal and glass-coated manja across India. Now, PETA India is recognizing Chaudhry's landmark decision by honoring him with PETA's 'Hero to Animals Award'," Bangera said.

"In reaching his decision, Chaudhry cited the Pakistani constitution, which guarantees protection to life and property, and manja was taking away that right. Although glass-coated kite string is banned in parts of India, such as Mumbai and Gujarat, it is sold and used widely including in places in which it is banned," Bangera said.

The manja used in kite-flying competitions is gummed and coated with powdered and finely crushed or metal glass. This makes it deadly for thousands of pigeons, crows, owls, kites and other birds who get slashed, wounded or killed when they become entangled in the manja, Bangera added.

"Manja also affects human beings. In one incident in Mumbai, stray manja nearly cut a child's throat, and a Borivali resident was hospitalised after his neck was slashed by manja while he was riding a scooter. In Shirdi, Ahmednagar, a teacher died after his throat was cut by manja. And three people in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, were decapitated by manja during one Makar Sankranthi," Bangera said.

During Makar Sankranthi in Hyderabad in 2011, 23 pigeons were killed by manja and as many as 167 injured birds were rescued by animal welfare activist, he added.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_peta-to-honour-pak-chief-justice-for-banning-kite-string_1636403

Rahul Khanna urges govt to ban manja

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Rahul-Khanna-urges-govt-to-ban-manja/Article1-732830.aspx

Kite flying has been part of Indian festivities for a while, but competing adults and kids who use ‘manja’ (glass-coated string used tied to kites) may not be aware of the kind of damage they cause unconsciously. Actor Rahul Khanna will now stress upon this aspect of the celebration. And to bring into notice the harm a ‘manja’ can cause to birds, he has sent a letter to the Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Jayanthi Natarajan, on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.  

Kite flying shouldn’t be deadly,” he says, adding, “Glass-coated manja is dangerous to birds and people alike. It slices their wings and feet, countless become entangled, and are severely wounded. Some die a slow, painful death. I was also surprised to learn that children have been hurt or killed by the deadly string.”

The actor, who has kept a low profile in Bollywood for a while now, now urges those who share his sentiment to log on to the PETA website (PETAIndia.com) to further his effort. “Take part in the online action and advance the campaign by sending an email to the Ministry of Environment and Forests,” says Khanna, adding, “By all means fly kites, but make them kind kites. Leave the ‘manja’ out.” 

But does sending a letter to the government help? “Absolutely. The government is currently considering a draft, Animal Welfare Act 2011, as an update to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, which was enacted more than 50 years ago! If passed, this legislation will significantly increase the currently weak penalties for cruelty to animals.”