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 w...Read More

Gandhinagar: As many as 9,205 birds were treated for injuries caused by kite strings during the Uttarayan festivities across Gujarat, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has said. Under the state government's 'Karuna Abhiyaan' initiative, 8,207 birds were successfully saved by 15 January, he said. Sanghavi, in a post on X on Thursday, said, "Under the Karuna Abhiyan, being carried out across the state, a total of 9,205 birds were treated up to 15 January 2026, out of which 8,207 birds wer...Read More

Gandhinagar: According to Deputy Chief Minister, Karuna Abhiyan – an annual initiative led by the Government of Gujarat to rescue and treat birds during the kite flying festival Uttarayan through efforts of the Government, the private veterinary doctors and volunteer organizations has treated, a total of 5,439 birds across Gujarat, out of which 4937 that is 91% were saved successfully to life on 14 January 2026 which was Uttarayan or kite flying festival. Lethal kite strings tied to kites and ...Read More

Gandhinagar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday celebrated the Makar Sankranti festival, popularly known as Uttarayan in Gujarat, by flying kites with his family and local residents in the Naranpura area of Ahmedabad. Naranpura is Shah's former assembly constituency. The area falls in his Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha MP from Gandhinagar offered prayers at the renowned Lord Jagannath Temple in the Jamalpur are with family members including the ...Read More

Ahmedabad: Gujarat witnessed generally clear and dry weather conditions today, with temperatures remaining slightly above normal at most places, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ahmedabad. Maximum temperatures across major cities hovered between 28°C and 32°C. Surat recorded one of the highest maximum temperatures at 32.0°C, around 2°C above normal, while Baroda touched 31.4°C and Rajkot 30.9°C, both also warmer than average. Ahmedabad recorded a maximum temperatu...Read More

Gandhinagar: During or after the Uttarayan festival, if a bird is found injured due to kite strings, citizens can easily locate the nearest bird treatment centre by sending a WhatsApp message to 8320002000. To ensure quick and proper treatment for injured birds across Gujarat, the Forest Department has announced this WhatsApp number along with the 1926 helpline, both of which will remain operational round the clock. By sending a simple “Hi” message to the WhatsApp number, users will recei...Read More

Surat: Every Uttarayan, the skies fill with color—and danger. Glass-coated strings injure birds and claim human lives. Troubled by this reality, Surat’s young researcher Vicky Vakharia asked a simple question with powerful consequences: Can a kite fly without a string? From that thought was born a remarkable innovation—a stringless, wind-free kite controlled by a remote. Flying effortlessly day and night, glowing with special lights, the kite moves like a butterfly in the sky, performing ...Read More

Surat: In a move aimed at ensuring public safety and preventing accidents during the Uttarayan festival, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has announced major changes to public transport operations in the city. On January 14, 2026 (Uttarayan), all BRTS bus services in Surat will remain completely closed, while city bus services will operate at only 30 percent of their regular schedule. The decision has been taken keeping in mind safety concerns, particularly along the BRTS corridors, wher...Read More

Ahmedabad: As Gujarat gears up to celebrate the festival of Makar Sankranti on January 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad on January 12, 2026. The inaugural ceremony will also see the presence of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. 135 kite flyers from 50 countries to participate It is worth mentioning that 135 international kite flyers from 50 countries will participate in the International Kite Festival...Read More

Ahmedabad: The Principal Secretary of the state Home Department has filed a detailed affidavit before the Gujarat High Court, outlining the steps taken by the government to strictly enforce the ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of synthetic, nylon, and Chinese kite strings across the state. The affidavit was submitted in response to a Public Interest Litigation seeking a tougher crackdown on Chinese thread and lanterns. According to the government’s submission, law enforcement ag...Read More