kite flying kills pigeons

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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2008/01/13/stories/2008011357090200.htm)

Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad

Kite-flying hits pigeons

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Be it `kodi pandem' in coastal Andhra or `jallikattu' in

Tamilnadu, Sankranthi is already infamous for its animal and bird games.

Latest in the list is the seemingly innocuous `patang'. Many a pigeon

in the city are reported to have been either injured or killed after

being caught by the `manja'-- the razor sharp thread by which kites

are flown.

" Thousands of birds die due to kite-flying every year. Last year, we

rescued about 468 birds, which constituted hardly 10 per cent of the

total injured, " Mahesh Agarwal from Sahyog Organisation says.

This year, he forebodes higher casualties due to the `Chinese dor'

being sold in the market.

Imported from China, the thread is made of plastic and could be fatal

to humans too owing to the glass powder it has, he says.

Sahyog has deployed about forty volunteers on the mission of rescuing

birds and administering first aid. Bleeding birds will be given first

aid and kept under folds of cloth until they recover and attempt to fly

again.

About 120 birds had been rescued while eighteen died by Saturday

evening. Of them, 93 cases, all of pigeons, were reported only on

Saturday.

The birds also included mynahs, blue jays, sparrows, and doves.

It is fright that kills the birds more than the injury.

" They go berserk upon sighting a kite and get hurt by manja. Once

injured, they lose flight and touch the ground, exposing themselves

to all kinds of predators, " explains Mahesh. He appeals to the people

to use

normal thread devoid of glass powder. Bird lovers may call 9394005600

toinform about any injured bird.