In a significant move before Uttarayan, the forest department has decided to decentralise the process of treating birds injured by manja.
In a significant move before Uttarayan, the forest department has decided to decentralise the process of treating birds injured by manja.
The treatment center at Van Chetna Kendra in Vastrapur will not be set up this year. Instead the process has been outsourced to about six NGOs, who will set up treatment centers in different parts of the city.
These NGOs and their facilities will be monitored closely by the forest department officials, but no facility will be set up by the department itself, as was being done in the last few years.
Under the banner of Pakshi Bachao Abhiyan, a co-ordination group will be formed. “This year, we have decided to outsource the treatment process to renowned NGOs. It will be more convenient as they will set up five to ten facilities all over the city, instead of having it in just one place in Vastrapur,” said deputy conservator of forest, Raman Murthy.
He said the NGOs will work under the close supervision of the forest officials. “They will in fact work as the arms of the department for the duration of around a week before Uttarayan,” said Murthy.
When asked about the NGOs’ ability to deal with critically endangered species like vultures and availability of facilities like intensive care units, operation theaters and medicines, Murthy said that they were very well equipped.
The reason for the forest department withdrawing from direct involvement in the so very successful project is not really known, but Murthy claims there are “some issues, not of facilities or infrastructure, but other issues”.
Activists on the other hand, who worked closely with healing the birds these past years, claim the department wants to disassociate itself from treating the birds as they do not want to take responsibility of taking care of the ailing birds after Uttarayan and even throughout the year.
Moreover, one activist requesting anonymity told DNA that while some of the selected NGOs are indeed committed and have the requisite facilities others do not have it.
Last year itself, around 700 birds, injured in Ahmedabad city and surrounding areas, were treated at VCK. A few doctors of international repute and veterinarians from Mumbai had come to treat the birds. NGOs like Namo Namah, Geetaben Rambhiya Trust, Saras Nature Conservation Society, and Shri Cultural Foundation, Shahibaugh, Jivdaya Charitable Trust for pigeons were also involved in the cause.
Many professionals like interior designers, auto drivers, counsellors and researchers, school and college students were also involved in treating the birds that were injured by the deadly manja.
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