14,690 birds injured across Gujarat during Uttarayan saved under Karuna Abhiyan 2026: Minister

Gandhinagar: A total of 16,380 birds injured during the Uttarayan festival were treated across Gujarat under Karuna Abhiyan-2026 between January 10 and January 20. Of these, 14,690 birds have been saved, reflecting a survival rate of nearly 90 percent, Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said.

Providing district-wise details, Modhwadia said the highest number of cases were reported from Ahmedabad, where 7,040 injured birds were treated and 6,532 were rescued. In Surat, 4,800 birds were treated, out of which 4,194 were saved. Vadodara recorded 722 cases with 649 rescues, Rajkot treated 676 birds with 553 rescued, while Gandhinagar reported 329 injured birds, of which 313 were saved. Overall, injured birds were treated across 33 districts, giving a new lease of life to thousands.

The minister said the injured birds included 13,636 pigeons, 905 jays, 281 crows, 137 black ibises, 134 owls, 121 herons, 110 parrots, and several other species, covering a total of 41 different bird varieties.

Minister of State for Forest and Environment Pravin Mali said Karuna Abhiyan was launched in 2017 with support from multiple departments, including forest and agriculture, along with bird-loving voluntary organisations. In its first year, 6,597 out of 7,301 injured birds were rescued. Over the last 10 years, more than 1.29 lakh injured birds have been treated under the campaign, and over 1.18 lakh have been been saved, reflecting a rescue rate of more than 92 percent, he added.

Mali said extensive arrangements were made to ensure the success of Karuna Abhiyan-2026, including around 450 collection centres, 60 control rooms, and over 480 treatment centres across the state. More than 650 veterinary doctors and nearly 8,000 staff members and volunteers worked for bird rescue and treatment. The Forest Department also operated its 24×7 helpline number 1926 and WhatsApp number 83200 02000 for timely assistance. Injured animals and birds can also be treated throughout the year by dialling the Karuna Animal Ambulance helpline number 1962. DeshGujarat