AMC announces helpline numbers for birds rescue on Uttarayan

Ahmedabad, 11 January, 2012

According to a statement issued by the Deputy Municipal Commissioner of north zone, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has set up an umbrella body with participation of various non government organizations(NGOs) to rescue and treat injured birds on 13-14-15 January 2012 during Uttarayan.

Sighting of any injured bird should be reported to following helpline numbers during 6.00 am to 8.00 pm on this numbers.

079-25390501
80 00 00 15 00
80 00 00 16 00
80 00 00 23 45
99 24 11 22 00

Forest department gears up

The Gujarat forest department has set up 40 centers for birds that get injured due to the use of metal and glass-coated manja to fly kites. The forest department and 23 NGOs have come together to help birds that get injured during the kite flying festival, also known as Uttarayan, in the city, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Ahmedabad, S N Joshi told mediapersons here today.

“We have set up four major operation theaters (OTs), nine minor OTs, 27 first aid centres and 13 collection centres across the city,” he said, adding that they have the capacity to treat 4,000 birds.

“The NGOs have volunteers who would bring the injured birds to the nearest collection center where the veterinary doctors would diagnose the injury and refer it to the OT or the first aid centre for treatment,” Joshi said.

For doctors, the forest department has tied up with the animal husbandry department and the Veterinary College of Anand district, he added.

The forest department has also setup post operative care observation centre and isolation centers for large birds like vultures and kites, Joshi said.

Besides, 10 helpline numbers have been dedicated for the birds. A couple of NGOs like the Shree Cultural Foundation would be taking our Rathyatras across the city creating awareness on the issue of protecting the birds from the deadly string.