With Makar Sankranti being celebrated across the city, Mumbai-based NGOs engaged in wildlife rescue and conservation reported rescuing around 50 birds injured by kite strings (manja) over the past four days. Activists also alleged that despite a ban imposed by courts and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Chinese and nylon manja continue to be sold in the city.

In Mumbai and Thane, several NGOs working towards wildlife conservation reported a surge in bird injuries linked to kite-flying. Representatives of NGOs RAWW (Resqink Association For Wildlife Welfare), SARRP (Spreading Awareness on Reptiles and Rehabilitation Programme)-India and WWA (Wildlife Welfare Association) told mid-day that over the past four to five days, they have rescued around 50 birds of various species injured by manja. The injured birds included species such as black-shouldered kites, pigeons, crows, parakeets, and spotted owlets.