Saving three to four birds a day during peak kite-flying months has not made Mattancherry’s brave heart bird-lover Mukesh Jain suspect people’s goodwill.
“However, goodwill is not just enough,” he said on Sunday after saving and treating an eagle and two crows that were caught in glass-lined nylon twines, which were carelessly left behind by kite-flying enthusiasts in West Kochi.
Cotton twine“It is not that people should stop flying kites. They should. It is a popular leisure activity. But they should be made aware that cotton twine and thread will do,” Mr. Jain said. On Sunday, he appealed to kite-flying enthusiasts to stop using nylon varieties, including ‘tangeese’ and other varieties, most of which are imported.
Cotton twines degrade during rain and sunshine and do not pose danger to birds, animals or humans beings. There have been incidents when cycle-riders were hurt seriously by the leftover nylon twines.
Mr. Jain, who runs the Mukesh Jain Foundation to fight the threat posed by leftover nylon twines, made an appeal once again on Sunday to people to take care so that nobody was hurt. The appeal comes at a time when the new kite-flying season is getting off with its “tragic effects” clearly visible.
Nylon twines are actually meant for stringing beads and making chains and ornaments, he added.
He is a dedicated bird-rescuer, who is familiar to the people of West Kochi and undertakes rescue operations with the help of like-minded people.
Most rescued birds are let free after giving treatment. Others, which are more seriously hurt, is given shelter until they are well, he added.
