Gandhinagar: During the festival of Uttarayan in Gujarat, many wild animals and birds are injured by kite strings. Additionally, well-meaning people often feed animals, especially cows, with ghughari, alfalfa, and green grass, among other things. As a result, animals often suffer from poisoning. Since 2015, the Gujarat government has conducted Karuna Abhiyan every year to rescue such animals and birds on an urgent basis and provide them with proper treatment. This year, the campaign will take place across the state from January 10 to 20, 2025, said Forest and Environment Minister Mulubhai Bera, while giving details from Gandhinagar.

The minister wished everyone a happy Uttarayan Parva and appealed to the public to refrain from flying kites in the morning and evening when birds are often out looking for food. He also urged people not to use illegal Chinese kite strings.

The Forest Department has announced WhatsApp numbers (8320002000) and the 1926 helpline to provide quick and proper treatment to injured birds across the state. By sending a message saying “Hi,” a link will be provided with information about available bird treatment centers, organized by district. The Animal Husbandry Department can also be contacted via the 1962 helpline, allowing citizens to save the lives of injured animals and birds.

Minister Mulubhai added, “As a result of this initiative launched by the state government, many endangered animals and birds have been revived. Over the past eight years, more than 97,200 animals and birds have been rescued across the state under Karuna Abhiyan, with over 31,400 animals and more than 65,700 birds receiving proper treatment. In Ahmedabad district alone, more than 17,600 animals and birds have been treated, including about 2,400 animals and over 15,200 birds. The ‘Karuna Abhiyan’ initiative, first started by Gujarat, has now become a model for the entire country.”

The minister said all necessary preparations have been made to ensure that ‘Karuna Abhiyan-2025’ is more result-oriented. Various voluntary organizations, including the Animal Husbandry Department, Forest Department, and Municipal Corporations, are playing a key role in making this life-saving campaign a success.

Mukeshbhai Patel, Minister of State for Forest and Environment, said, “Over 600 veterinary doctors and more than 8,000 volunteers will serve in Karuna Abhiyan-2025. Additionally, more than 1,000 treatment centers will be set up across the state by the Animal Husbandry Department, the Forest Department, and various charitable organizations. During the campaign, 865 animal clinics, 34 veterinary polyclinics, 27 branch animal clinics, 587 mobile animal clinics, and 37 Karuna animal ambulances will operate even on holidays, ensuring that all necessary equipment and resources are available for treating injured animals and birds.”

In addition to the existing animal treatment institutes in urban areas such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Surat, arrangements will also be made to provide treatment through about 50 additional mobile units, Minister of State Mukeshbhai added.

It is noteworthy that last year, under Karuna Abhiyan, more than 13,800 animals and birds were rescued across the state, including over 4,400 animals and more than 9,300 birds. In the past eight years, after Ahmedabad district, Surat district saw the rescue and treatment of more than 13,300 animals and birds, Vadodara district over 10,700, Rajkot district more than 8,300, Anand district over 6,800, and Junagadh district over 6,100 animals and birds. DeshGujarat

🗃️ This story is from our archives and may contain outdated information.