Soaring Traditions, Hidden Harm: The Impact of Makar Sankranti Kite Flying on Birds

This blog explores why kite flying becomes dangerous for birds, how modern materials worsen the impact, and what we can do to celebrate responsibly and compassionately.

The Invisible Threat: Manja 🧵

Birds share the same airspace we fill with kites. When sharp strings hang across open skies, trees, electric poles, and rooftops, birds flying at high speed often don't see them in time.

The primary culprit is the kite string itself, especially the popular but deadly "Chinese manja" or synthetic coated strings. Designed to be sharp and strong for cutting competitor kites, this string poses a catastrophic threat to birds.

Every year, birds suffer from:

• Deep cuts on wings, necks, legs, and beaks
• Torn muscles and tendons
• Severe bleeding leading to shock or death
• Birds left unable to fly, feed, or stuck for days, leading to exhaustion, dehydration, and starvation

Many injuries are fatal within minutes; others cause prolonged suffering that permanently ground them.

The Shocking Scale of the Crisis

Wildlife rescue centers across India report a 300-500% surge in bird admissions during the Makar Sankranti week. The casualties are not selective:

• Urban Birds: Pigeons, crows, kites, owls, and parakeets are common victims.
• Migratory Birds: The winter guests, like waterfowl and birds of prey, sharing our skies are equally vulnerable.
• Threatened Species: There are heartbreaking reports of injured Black Kites, Barn Owls, and even endangered species like the Egyptian Vulture falling prey to tangled strings.

Why Timing Matters

Birds are most active during dawn and dusk—the exact times when they leave their nests to find food and return home. Unfortunately, these are also the peak hours for kite enthusiasts. This overlap creates a high-risk environment where the "traffic" in the sky is at its most congested.

The Ripple Effect

The harm extends beyond individual suffering:

• Ecological Imbalance

  Birds are crucial for pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal. Their injury or death disrupts local ecosystems.

• Human and Animal Hazard

  Sharp manja has caused fatal accidents for two-wheelers and grievous injuries to people, especially children. It also injures street dogs and other animals.

• A Welfare Burden

  Volunteer-driven rescue organizations work around the clock, strained beyond capacity, relying on donations to treat hundreds of patients daily.

How We Can Celebrate Responsibly 🪁❤️

• Choose Safer Alternatives

  Opt for cotton strings (saddi) or eco-friendly threads without any sharp coating. They are less harmful and biodegradable.

• Fly Kites Responsibly

  Avoid flying near trees, lakes, nesting areas. Try to fly kites between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, when bird activity is at its lowest.

• Clean Up After Yourself

  Never leave discarded manja hanging on trees, balconies, rooftops or cut them loose in the sky. Responsibly dispose of your used strings. Collect and cut them into small pieces before binning.

• Say No to Nylon

  Strictly avoid using synthetic or metallic manja. Many regions have banned its sale for a reason—it is a lethal hazard.

• Be a Helper

  Keep contact numbers of local wildlife rescuers handy. If you find an injured bird, place it in a ventilated box in a quiet, dark place and call for help. Do not attempt to feed it.

• Spread Awareness

  One conversation can save many lives. Talk to your kite-flying group, housing society, and especially children about the impact of sharp manja. Champion the cause of safer skies.

What to Do if You Find an Injured Bird

If you encounter a bird entangled in manja or lying injured:

• Do not pull the string: This can worsen the cut.
• Cover the bird gently: Use a soft, breathable cloth to calm the bird and prevent it from flapping its wings further.
• Contact a Rescue Center: Call your local animal welfare NGO or forest department immediately. Keep the bird in a ventilated box in a quiet, dark place until help arrives.

A Festival of Harvest, Not Harm

Makar Sankranti celebrates new beginnings, gratitude, and harmony with nature. True celebration lies not just in joy for humans, but in compassion for all living beings who share our skies.

Let our kites soar on the winds of compassion, leaving behind only wonder, not wounds.

Because every bird deserves the freedom to fly safely 🕊️