Environment: ‘Chuck manja, save birds’

Jan 9, 2009, Deccan Chronicle, page 19

Excerpts from the article ‘Chuck manja, save birds’, by a Deccan Chronicle correspondent from Hyderabad, India.

This Sankrati, a campaign endorsed by Jiah Khan (for PETA) calling for people to ditch glass coated manjas (the strings used to fly paper kites), that leave birds injured has turned scores of young kite fighters into crusaders for birds.

Youngsters are urging friends to spare a thought for hundreds of birds that are left with mangled wings and bleeding bodies, while they are busy having fun.

Anuhya Reddy, an engineering student and WWF activist says, “We identify with this cause because if you look carefully, you can actually see birds somersaulting in the air before regaining balance. The best part is, you don’t even have to go out of your way to support this cause. It’s as simple as choosing to fly kites in the open areas where theyere are less or no trees.”

C. Aradhana, who has started an online community where people sign up and pledge to ditch glass manja this Sankrati says, “Birds are unaware of the maze that we make with the manjas in the sky. They fly right into this invisible trap and end up hurting their wings.
Shravanya Rao, an animal lover says, “Once injured by sharp manja, birds cannot regain balance and fall from great heights. Some are maimed for life while others bleed to death. When you tell this to people they seem surprised. They say this thought never occurred to them. It's important to spread the awareness about this.”