Students join NGO to rescue animals in distress

MUMBAI: Though they are young, they are probably more aware about the environment than adults. While most of their friends are enjoying the summer holidays, a bunch of students from Bhandup are caring for birds and animals affected due to the scorching summer heat.

“It is disheartening to see animals suffering due to the heat. I always wanted to do something for these animals and birds. The opportunity came a fortnight ago when a kite was severely frothing after falling to ground due to heat,” said Ajay Vishwakarma, a VII standard student of Gurunanak High School.

Ajay contacted a few people who guided him to the Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Mumbai. Since then he has been working with the NGO and has also got some of his friends involved in the activities. 

“It is not that only humans feel the heat during summer. Birds and animals also face severe problems. Seeing a bird or an animal released in its natural habitat after being rescued gives enormous satisfaction,” said Shitlesh Dubey a IV standard student of IDUBS School.

The students have assisted in rescuing many birds like kites, common Indian krait, common sand boa, cuckoo and turtles from places in Kanjurmarg, Bhandup, Ghatkopar and BARC Colony. “A turtle rescued from a construction site at Ghatkopar was released in the Powai lake,” Dubey said.

It is a good sign that students are coming forward to rescue animals said Sunish Subramanian of PAWS.