Awareness drive launched in Hyderabad to curb banned manja use

The Animal Warriors Conservation Society, with GHMC and HCL Foundation, has launched awareness programmes across Hyderabad to promote responsible kite flying and discourage the use of banned nylon manja. Sessions in parks and schools aim to reduce bird injuries during the upcoming kite-flying season

Sangareddy: With the kite-flying season set to begin in December, the Animal Warriors Conservation Society, in collaboration with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and the HCL Foundation, has decided to conduct awareness programmes on responsible kite flying to curb the use of banned manja across Hyderabad and its neighbourhood.

The Patancheru-based organisation has planned a series of sensitisation programmes, particularly targeting children and youth, at major urban parks in the State capital. The first session was held at Indira Park in Hyderabad, where nearly 50 birds were rescued last Sankranthi after becoming trapped in nylon manja. During the programme, about 300 people were educated on the dangers posed by manja, with a live example of a pigeon that lost its wing after being trapped last year.

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Identifying major urban parks for future activities, AWCS representative Santoshi said they would conduct these awareness programmes during weekends. Volunteers will explain how nylon manja poses a grave threat to birds. She said similar sessions would be organised in government schools to discourage students from purchasing manja.

The organisation has also invited school students to visit its rehabilitation centre near Patancheru, where injured birds are recovering. Santoshi added that they would engage with kite sellers and urge them not to sell nylon manja.

AWCS alone rescues between 150 and 200 birds trapped in manja per month during the kite-flying season in Hyderabad and surrounding areas. She thanked GHMC Additional Commissioner, Urban Biodiversity Wing, V V L Subhadra Devi, and HCL Foundation volunteers Koppolu Saiswetha and Shehla Nuzhath for their support.