Gandhinagar, Jan 14 (NationPress) - On Tuesday, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the Wildlife Care Centre located in the Bodakdev area of Ahmedabad to assess the ongoing efforts of the statewide Karuna Abhiyan. This initiative is dedicated to rescuing and treating birds that have suffered injuries from kite strings during the Uttarayan festival. Accompanying him was Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia.

During his visit, the Chief Minister conducted an inspection of various facilities within the centre, including the specialized Water Birds Unit, and engaged with the teams actively involved in rescue and treatment. According to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests A.P. Singh, this campaign, executed under the Chief Minister's leadership, has become one of the most effective rescue operations in India.

“To date, thousands of injured birds have been rescued. Various departments, municipal bodies, and volunteer organizations are collaborating to ensure that no injured bird is neglected,” he remarked.

This year’s Karuna Abhiyan-2026 has assembled a large-scale on-ground team across the state, including over 728 veterinary doctors, more than 8,620 volunteers, and over 1,036 treatment and collection centres. Animal clinics, veterinary polyclinics, branch clinics, mobile veterinary units, and the Karuna Animal Ambulance will remain operational—even during holidays—between January 10 and 20, when bird injuries are most prevalent. Initiated in 2017, this compassionate initiative has saved over 1.12 lakh animals and birds in the past nine years, with more than 12,771 saved in 2023 alone.

Out of all rescues since inception, 1,03,874 were successfully treated and rehabilitated. Gujarat’s Karuna Abhiyan, the first state-led initiative of its kind in India, has set a national standard for protecting wildlife during festivals. To ensure rapid assistance, the Forest Department has established a 24/7 WhatsApp helpline at 8320002000 and an emergency helpline at 1926. A simple “Hi” on WhatsApp provides an immediate district-wise list of all treatment centres.

The Animal Husbandry Department also has a helpline, 1962, for reporting injured animals and birds. The Chief Minister's visit was attended by Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain, District Panchayat Chairperson Kanchanben, Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani, senior officials from the Forest and Animal Husbandry Departments, as well as volunteers, NCC cadets, and representatives from organizations involved in the campaign.