Activists in Rajkot, Gujarat, recently demonstrated against the use of abrasive glass-coated strings for flying kites that kill and injure birds. Costumed as injured birds, the activists were spreading awareness about bird safety among school students in Rajkot.
The volunteers said that it must be understood that China-manufactured glass-coated strings are dangerous for birds. “The glass- coated Chinese strings used for flying kites are harmful for birds and animals. People enjoy flying kites but the harm caused to birds cannot even be imagined,” said a volunteer, Rashmi Rathore.
According to the voluntary animal’s rights organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a government notification in western Gujarat state had imposed a ban on the use of such strings in 2010. But the strings are still extensively used in many parts of the country for flying kites. The activists urged people not to use glass-coated strings and replace them with harmless cotton ones instead. “We want to urge everyone to stop using Chinese strings. Everybody should use only cotton strings,” said another activist, Hemant Khare. PETA says that a bird rescuer in western Ahmedabad city of Gujarat once estimated that 2,000 birds are injured every year during the annual kite flying festival of the city. Out of the total injured, 500 birds, including pigeons, crows and vultures die due to the fatal wounds, says PETA. (ANI)