Save Birds from Manjha - EVENT

16 January, 2025

The National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of Vishwakarma Government Engineering College (VGEC) organised a "Save Birds from Manjha" awareness and rescue campaign from 13th January 2025 to 16th January 2025 during the Uttarayan festival. This 4-day community service initiative aimed to rescue injured birds, raise awareness about the dangers of kite-flying threads (manjha), and protect wildlife during one of Gujarat's most celebrated festivals. The programme demonstrated NSS VGEC's commitment to environmental conservation and wildlife protection whilst promoting responsible festival celebrations.

Activity Overview :

  • 55 dedicated NSS volunteers from VGEC participated in this comprehensive wildlife protection campaign.
  • The programme featured bird rescue operations, awareness drives, and manjha collection activities.
  • Active helpline numbers for bird rescue were shared extensively through social media platforms.
  • The event included door-to-door awareness campaigns in nearby areas around the college campus.
  • Systematic manjha collection from roads and trees was conducted to prevent further injuries.

Event Details :

Duration and Scope :

  • 4-day intensive campaign from 13th January 2025 to 16th January 2025
  • Festival Period : Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) celebrations
  • Coverage Area : College campus vicinity and surrounding residential areas
  • Target Audience : Local community, kite flyers, and social media users

Volunteer Participation :

  • Total Volunteers : 55 NSS members from various departments of VGEC
  • Team Structure : Multiple groups assigned for different campaign activities
  • Coordination : Systematic deployment across target areas for maximum impact

Programme Activities :

Bird Rescue Operations :

  • Immediate rescue of birds injured by sharp manjha threads
  • First aid provision to injured birds before professional veterinary care
  • Coordination with wildlife rescue organisations for proper treatment and rehabilitation
  • 24-hour vigilance during peak kite-flying hours to respond to emergency calls

Awareness Campaign :

  • Door-to-door awareness drives in residential areas near college campus
  • Distribution of informational materials about the dangers of Chinese manjha
  • Education about eco-friendly alternatives to harmful kite threads
  • Community interaction sessions with local kite sellers and enthusiasts

Social Media Outreach :

  • Sharing of active helpline numbers for bird rescue services across social media platforms
  • Awareness posts about the impact of manjha on bird life and safety
  • Real-time updates about rescue operations and volunteer activities
  • Educational content promoting responsible kite flying practices

Manjha Collection Drive :

  • Systematic collection of manjha from roads, trees, and public spaces
  • Safe disposal of collected harmful threads to prevent further accidents
  • Cleaning of tree branches where manjha was entangled
  • Preventive measures to reduce future manjha accumulation

Key Highlights :

Community Impact :

The 55 volunteers successfully covered extensive areas around the college campus, creating significant awareness about the dangers of manjha and promoting wildlife conservation among local residents.

Digital Awareness :

Strategic social media outreach ensured wide dissemination of bird rescue helpline numbers, enabling quick response to emergency situations across the region.

Environmental Conservation :

The comprehensive manjha collection drive not only protected birds but also ensured public safety by removing dangerous threads from roads and pedestrian areas.

Learning Outcomes :

  • Enhanced environmental awareness and wildlife conservation consciousness
  • Community service experience through direct interaction with local residents
  • Crisis management skills through emergency bird rescue operations
  • Social media advocacy and digital awareness campaign management
  • Teamwork and coordination in executing multi-faceted community service activities
  • Understanding of ecological balance and human responsibility towards wildlife

Community Response :

  • Positive reception from local residents during door-to-door awareness campaigns
  • Increased reporting of injured birds through shared helpline numbers
  • Community participation in manjha collection activities
  • Greater awareness about eco-friendly kite flying alternatives

Conclusion :

The "Save Birds from Manjha" campaign conducted by NSS VGEC during Uttarayan 2025 was a remarkable success in wildlife conservation and community awareness. The dedicated participation of 55 volunteers demonstrated exceptional commitment to environmental protection whilst promoting responsible festival celebrations. The campaign successfully achieved its objectives of rescuing injured birds, raising community awareness, and preventing future accidents through comprehensive manjha removal. This initiative reinforces NSS VGEC's commitment to environmental conservation, wildlife protection, and community service, whilst encouraging responsible celebration of traditional festivals that harmonise cultural joy with ecological responsibility.

Glimpses