91% Survival Rate in Karuna Abhiyan Bird Rescue
In a heartening display of commitment to wildlife conservation, the Gujarat government’s annual Karuna Abhiyan campaign has emerged as a beacon of hope for birds injured during the Uttarayan kite-flying festival. The state’s initiative, which focuses on rescuing and treating birds harmed by kite strings, has yielded impressive results this year, with a remarkable 91% of the rescued birds successfully recovering. Of the 17,065 birds brought to treatment centres across the state, 15,572 were nursed back to health, according to a statement from the Gujarat government.
The Karuna Abhiyan campaign, which was held from January 10 to 20, treated a diverse range of bird species, including pigeons, kites, crows, parrots, and herons. This initiative has become a crucial annual event since its inception in 2017, and its success is a testament to the collective effort of over 600 veterinary doctors, 8,000 volunteers, and 1,000 treatment centres set up across key cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, and Vadodara. The campaign’s strategic response infrastructure included 865 animal hospitals, 34 veterinary polyclinics, 27 branch hospitals, and 587 mobile animal hospitals, ensuring rapid intervention across Gujarat.
This year’s initiative was particularly robust, thanks to extensive planning and collaboration between the forest department, local volunteers, and veterinary professionals. The department also provided a dedicated WhatsApp helpline for the public to report injured birds, enabling swift responses. Since 2017, over 130,000 birds have been saved, marking the campaign as one of the most successful wildlife conservation efforts in the state. The numbers highlight the critical role of community participation and emergency infrastructure in wildlife rescue operations. However, it also underscores the need for continued vigilance and preparedness to safeguard these vulnerable species during high-risk periods like Uttarayan.
From a sustainability standpoint, the Karuna Abhiyan campaign offers valuable lessons in urban wildlife management. As cities like Ahmedabad continue to expand, the impact of urbanisation on local wildlife becomes more pronounced. The damage caused by kite strings during the festival, while a cultural tradition, also highlights the conflict between urban development and environmental conservation. Initiatives like Karuna Abhiyan are critical in mitigating such impacts, ensuring that wildlife populations are preserved while urbanisation continues to thrive. Moreover, the successful treatment of thousands of injured birds not only contributes to animal welfare but also fosters a deeper connection between urban residents and their environment, promoting a sense of collective responsibility towards sustainable coexistence.
In conclusion, the Karuna Abhiyan campaign is more than just a seasonal rescue operation; it is a model for effective collaboration between the government, wildlife professionals, and local communities. By saving thousands of birds, Gujarat is sending a powerful message about the importance of sustainable wildlife conservation practices. As the state continues to balance urban development with environmental protection, campaigns like Karuna Abhiyan offer a hopeful glimpse into the future of human-animal coexistence in urban spaces.