Say no to kite festival, save feathery friends
An appeal to stop the ‘Kite festival’ considering its impact on the general public & fragile ecosystem
Date: 1st August 2022
From
S. Bharathidasan,
Member, Tamil Nadu State Board for Wildlife,
Arulagam (Nature Conservancy),
4/347, NGGO Colony, Coimbatore - 641022
To
Honourable Mr M. Mathiventhan,
Minister for Tourism and Tourism Development Corporation,
Government of Tamil Nadu.
&
Dr B. Chandra Mohan E.P. (Principal Secretary to Government),
Tourism and Tourism Development Corporation,
Government of Tamil Nadu
Subject: An appeal to stop the ‘Kite festival’ considering its impact on the general public & fragile ecosystem- Reg
Respected Sir,
We learned that the ‘Kite Flying Festival’ in Mamallapuram from 13th to 15th August 2022 is going to be conducted by the Global Media Box with the help of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department.
We would like to bring to your kind attention that such kite flying events cause much harm to living beings, especially human beings and birds. In this context, we would like to reiterate that even the thread used for kite flying is free from Mancha will be hazardous to human beings and birds as well. We recall with dismay and sorrow that at Chennai during 2007, a 2-year-old child and an engineer in 2017 were trapped in a 'Mancha' kite flying twine and died. We would also like to mention that the act of selling kite twine was banned and the rope sellers were arrested by the Chennai Police.
Another example is in front of our eyes where many birds are affected by way of kite flying festivals held in the state of Gujarat. Every year in January, the Kite Flying Festival is held in Gujarat with much fanfare. The field observation shows that every year during the kite flying festival, thousands of birds are injured and hundreds of birds are killed by invisible kite twine and threads. Even the ripstop nylon is hazardous to birds. When will the festivals we celebrate become compatible with nature? Should our celebrations upset other creatures? We want to raise the question on behalf of voiceless creatures. It has been revealed that at least 30 species of birds are affected every year. It includes endangered birds such as,
1) Vulture - Critically endangered
2) Saras crane - Critically endangered
3) Ibis
4) Black kite
5) Painted stork
6) Pelican
Even with the best veterinarians available from all over the world, many birds die in such events. Tragically, the birds that do survive spend the rest of their lives crippled and suffering from affected legs and wings. In this month of August in which kite flying happening in Mamallapuram, the below-mentioned birds migrate locally and we fear that the birds will face serious harm.
1) Spot-billed Pelican (Near Threatened)
2) Painted Stork
3) Grey-headed Swamphen
4) Common Coot
We also want to bring to your attention that apart from the above-mentioned bird many types of seabirds will also be affected because a kite flying event is going to be held in the coastal areas. Moreover, the proposed area also comes under the Central Asian Flyway. And we would also like to point out that ‘Pallikaranai Marshland” has recently been included in the 'Ramsar Convention' list as recommended by the Government of Tamil Nadu and it is only 40 km away from the venue of the kite flying event.
There is no doubt that this kite flying event will add fuel to the threats faced by bird life which is already in question due to pesticides, industrial waste, water pollution, habitat loss, climate destruction, painkillers administered to livestock, and poisoned dead cattle.
Moreover, we fear that the Government of Tamil Nadu, which made the world look back by holding the Chess Olympiad at Mamallapuram will be seen as being against nature by many because of this kite flying event which is to be held in the same town.
Our traditional games are many. Please find an alternative event which is compatible with nature and the birds. We hereby request that Tamil Nadu should protect its distinctiveness. Hence, we request you to cancel the said event in the interest of birds and humans alike. We hope firmly that our Government of Tamil Nadu will be supporting the voiceless organisms too.
Thanking you.
With regards,
S. Bharathidasan, Member, State Wildlife Board, Government of Tamil Nadu & Arulagam,
Tamil Birders Group, Mr P. Jaganathan, Pavalar Ara. Selvamani, Writer, Dr T. Ramakritinan, Mr Selva Ganesh, Mr Mac Mohan, Mr A. M. Amsa, Mr Sakthivel of SEWA, Bird Researcher Ms. Kripanandini, Mr Deepak Venkatachalam of Sulal Arivom
Ref:
https://wildlifesos.org/animals/manjha-menace-bird-injuries-on-the-rise-due-to-kite-flying/
https://www.siasat.com/chinese-manja-used-kite-flyers-major-threat-birds-1793421/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/14/uttarayan-bird-fatalities-kite-festival-india-makar-sankranti-january-14
https://www.indiawilds.com/diary/kite-flying-impact-on-birds/the information
