The Kite Festival in Jaipur, India, is a veritable slaughter of birds, which die in the hundreds every year.
A beautiful and colorful festival that however turns into a tragedy for birds every year: we are in Jaipur, India, and here with the Makara Sankranti the beginning of the new season of kites and the arrival of the spring season. All nice, especially for children, but if you do not consider the hundreds of birds who are killed at each edition of the Kite Festival.
This year alone, veterinarians and activists have rescued over 350 birds, including black kites and pigeons, on the day of the holiday when families climb rooftops or take to the streets to attend one of the country's most anticipated events.
It happens every time: between the frenzy of flying kites and the people savoring their bite of festive sweets during Makar Sankranti, the birds are in danger and luckily there is an increasingly large group of people going to the corners and in the crevices of Jaipur to help the animals injured during that terrible fatal flight.
They are above all the members of Hope and Beyond - a non-governmental organization (NGO) that works for the well-being of the environment and all living beings - they try in every way to save the injured birds during the still popular festival of the kites of Jaipur.
“When birds get caught in the ropes, they are badly injured. Recently, we have found a few birds whose wings have been completely severed. I'm down for life, just because someone needs fun, ”says Joy Gardner, veterinary and environmental activist and founder of Hope and Beyond.
When people were busy in flying kites, we were busy in saving lives. Team Hope treating Cormorant injured by glass coated manjha #birdtreatmentcamp #wildlifetrustofindia #ifaw #ern #emergencyreliefnetwork
Posted by Hope and Beyond on Thursday, January 14, 2021
But why does this happen? Many birds are injured or even killed by coming into contact with "Manja", the glass-covered rope used to fly kites. The rope is sharp enough to cut an opponent's kite line in the sky during kite fights. But it is practically a real weapon for birds.
Trying to save Greater Coucal injured by glass coated Manjha.#ifaw #wildlifetrustofindia #emergencyreliefnetwork #HopeAndBeyond #angeleyes #wildliferescues #wildlifengorajasthan #wildlifengojaipur
Posted by Hope and Beyond on Sunday, January 17, 2021
And not only that: those sharp ropes also fill the migratory paths of the birds and also hang from trees, telephone cables and buildings, creating a deceptive web.
But is there a solution? Maintain the Makara Sankranti tradition, sure, but eliminate the kites. “Because kite flying has nothing to do with anyone's religious feelings. No religious literature mentions it, ”Gardner concludes.
Let's hope, then, that there is a change of course!
Fonte: Hope and Beyond ONG
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