During the Uttarayan kite-flying season, Gujarat’s Karuna Abhiyan has emerged as a major bird rescue and treatment initiative. Official data shows that over the last 10 years, more than 1.18 lakh injured birds have been rescued across the state, while over 1.29 lakh birds have received medical treatment. The campaign, launched in 2017, has maintained a recovery rate of more than 92 per cent through coordinated rescue and veterinary support.
Campaign Overview
Karuna Abhiyan is a state-level bird rescue drive focused on injuries caused mainly by kite strings during Uttarayan. The initiative involves the Forest and Environment Department, veterinary teams and voluntary organisations. It aims to provide quick rescue, treatment and rehabilitation for injured birds across Gujarat.
2026 Campaign Performance
The 2026 edition of the campaign ran from January 10 to January 20. During this period:
- 16,380 injured birds were treated across all 33 districts.
- 14,690 birds survived after treatment.
- The recovery rate stood at 90 per cent.
- Ahmedabad recorded the highest caseload with 7,040 treated birds.
- Surat followed with 4,800 cases, of which 4,194 birds were saved.
Species and District Data
Species-wise, pigeons formed the largest affected group with 13,636 cases. Other injured species included black kites, crows, sparrow hawks, black ibises, owls, egrets and parrots. In total, 41 species were treated during the campaign. District-level rescue work was also reported from Vadodara, Rajkot and Gandhinagar, showing wide operational coverage.
Operational Support and Facilities
To support Karuna Abhiyan 2026, the state established around 450 collection centres, more than 60 control rooms and over 480 treatment centres. More than 650 veterinary doctors and about 8,000 staff members and volunteers were deployed. A 24-hour helpline and a dedicated WhatsApp number were also made available. The animal ambulance service continues to operate throughout the year.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026