Nagpur: The kite flying on Makar Sankranti was a rejoice for many but nightmare for some as the banned nylon manja continued to remain in use. On Sunday, three cases of minor injuries due to manja were reported at the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH). Like every year, NGO volunteers are busy rescuing and treating birds injured due to the manja. Some organizations have also reported mortality of birds.
Two persons were arrested and nylon manja worth Rs 25,600 was seized by cops at different places on Sunday. The cops have conducted more than half a dozen raids in the last one week.
On Sunday, Shanti Nagar police arrested Jageshwar Bokde for stocking 20 spools of nylon manja at Raut Square in Lalgunj. Pachpaoli police seized 28 spools from a shop near Kamal Chowk and arrested shop owner Anil Manmode. Both have been booked under relevant sections of the Protection of Environment Act and under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Wildlife veterinarian Dr Bahar Baviskar, who is also the founder of NGO Wild-CER, said that their volunteers have attended to over 50 rescue calls. “In most of the cases, birds have deep injuries in their wings or legs due to nylon manja. Different bird species like barn owl, cattle egrets, black kites, tree pies, pigeons, laughing dove and cuckoo have been rescued and treated from different areas,” said Baviskar.
It shows that despite the ban, nylon manja was sold in the city. “We found it at many places like Ambazari, Telangkhedi and Gorewada,” said Baviskar.
When compared to last few years, the number of rescue calls has gone down significantly. “The calls would start post Diwali and by Makar Sankranti, we would rescue around 300 birds. This time, it’s not even 100,” added Baviskar.