Manja Injuries on the Rise: A Hidden Wildlife Crisis in Bengaluru

Each year, as the festive season of Sankranti approaches, colourful kites fill Bengaluru’s skies. But beneath the joy of kite flying lies a growing and largely unseen crisis — one that deeply affects the city’s wildlife.

Recent rescue data from PfA Wildlife Hospital reveals that injuries caused by manja — the banned glass- and nylon-coated kite string — have been increasing steadily since 2019, turning what should be a joyful tradition into a recurring year-start emergency for birds and other animals.

Escalating Injury Numbers

In 2019, PfA recorded 102 manja-related bird injury cases in Bengaluru. Over the years, this number has climbed sharply, reaching 790 cases in 2025 — nearly eight times higher than six years ago.

Manja injuries peak between January and April, coinciding with Sankranti and the fledging season when young birds take to the skies for the first time. During this period, rescue calls surge daily as birds and bats collide with nearly invisible strings stretched across rooftops, open spaces, and electricity lines. 

Raptors and Urban Birds Worst Affected

Urban raptors bear the brunt of this crisis. In 2025 alone, 422 black kites were injured, making them the hardest-hit species. Other affected birds include house crows, pigeons, barn owls, jungle crows, egrets, herons, parakeets, owlets, and even fruit bats. 

These birds often get entangled while flying at dusk or night, when manja strands — coated with tiny shards of glass — are hardest to detect. The result? Severe wounds ranging from deep cuts and fractured bones to permanent disabilities, and in many cases, fatalities.

Why This Happens Despite a Ban

Although Karnataka prohibits the use of nylon and glass-coated strings, these dangerous materials are still widely available and used during festivals. Unlike traditional cotton threads, banned manja climaxes with sharp edges that slice through feathers, flesh, and sometimes even human skin.

                                                 

PfA’s Response and Innovative Care

At PfA, we have developed specialised techniques to help these injured birds recover. One such method is “imping” — a feather-implantation technique that replaces broken or missing feathers with naturally shed ones from the same species, dramatically reducing recovery times from months to days, and in some cases to as little as 24 hours. 

To support imping and rehabilitation, we’ve also established a community-driven Feather Bank, where volunteers collect naturally fallen feathers from parks, schools, and neighbourhoods. Thousands of feathers have been added in the last few years, helping us release more than 1,000 birds back into the wild.

Our rescue teams use specialised long-reach poles to safely retrieve birds stuck 80–120 feet high, and our “Kite vs Kites” awareness campaign educates citizens about the dangers of banned manja — for wildlife and humans alike. 

What This Means for Bengaluru

The rising numbers are a clear sign: despite being illegal, manja use remains widespread, and unless action is taken, each kite season will continue to harm hundreds of birds — especially young, inexperienced fledglings.

How You Can Help

• Say NO to banned manja — choose safe alternatives like plain cotton thread.
  
  

• Spread awareness among friends, family, and neighbourhoods.
  
  

• Report sightings of birds trapped in strings to wildlife rescue helplines immediately.
  
  

• Support rescue and rehabilitation efforts by sharing our message and contributing if you can.
  
  

Every bird we save is a step toward a safer, more compassionate Bengaluru — one where festivals bring joy without injury or loss.

Manja Injuries on the Rise: A Hidden Wildlife Crisis in Bengaluru

Each year, as Sankranti fills Bengaluru’s skies with colourful kites, an unseen crisis unfolds for the city’s wildlife. Behind the festive cheer lies a growing threat caused by manja—the banned glass- and nylon-coated kite string that turns celebration into tragedy for hundreds of birds and animals.

Recent data from the PfA Wildlife Hospital shows a disturbing trend. Manja-related injuries have been steadily rising since 2019, transforming the start of every year into an emergency period for wildlife rescue teams.

Escalating Injury Numbers

In 2019, PfA recorded 102 cases of manja-related bird injuries in Bengaluru. By 2025, this number had surged to 790 cases—almost an eightfold increase in just six years.

These injuries peak between January and April, coinciding with:

• Sankranti kite-flying festivities
  
  

• The fledging season, when young birds take their first flights
  
  

During this time, rescue calls pour in daily as birds and bats collide with nearly invisible strings stretched across rooftops, open grounds, trees, and power lines.

Raptors and Urban Birds: The Worst Affected

Urban raptors suffer the most. In 2025 alone:

• 422 Black Kites were injured, making them the most affected species
  
  

Other victims include:
House crows, pigeons, barn owls, jungle crows, egrets, herons, parakeets, owlets, and even fruit bats.

Flying at dusk or night makes these species especially vulnerable, as manja is almost impossible to detect in low light. The consequences are devastating:

• Deep lacerations
  
  

• Torn muscles and tendons
  
  

• Fractured wings and legs
  
  

• Permanent disability
  
  

• Often, death
  
  

Why This Happens Despite the Ban

Karnataka has banned the manufacture, sale, and use of nylon and glass-coated kite strings. Yet, these dangerous materials remain widely available and commonly used during festivals.

Unlike traditional cotton thread, banned manja has razor-sharp edges that:

• Slice through feathers and flesh
  
  

• Cause severe trauma to animals
  
  

• Pose serious risks even to humans
  
  

PfA’s Response and Innovative Care

At PfA, specialised rescue and rehabilitation methods have been developed to give injured birds a second chance at life.

One of the most impactful techniques is “Imping”:

• A feather-implantation method
  
  

• Broken or lost feathers are replaced with naturally shed feathers from the same species
  
  

• Recovery time is reduced from months to days, and sometimes to just 24 hours
  
  

To support this, PfA created a Community Feather Bank, where volunteers collect naturally fallen feathers from:

• Parks
  
  

• Schools
  
  

• Campuses
  
  

• Residential areas
  
  

Over the years, thousands of feathers have been donated, helping PfA successfully release more than 1,000 birds back into the wild.

Our rescue teams also use:

• Long-reach poles to retrieve birds trapped 80–120 feet high
  
  

• Rapid response protocols during peak season
  
  

• The “Kite vs Kites” awareness campaign to educate the public
  
  

What This Means for Bengaluru

The rising numbers are a stark warning. Despite being illegal, manja remains in circulation, and unless stronger awareness and enforcement take place, every kite season will continue to injure and kill hundreds of birds—especially young, inexperienced fledglings.

This is not just a wildlife issue. It reflects how human celebration, without responsibility, can silently devastate urban ecosystems.

How You Can Help

• Say NO to banned manja
  Use only safe, plain cotton thread.
  
  

• Spread awareness
  Talk to friends, family, schools, and neighbourhood groups.
  
  

• Report immediately
  If you see a bird trapped in a string, contact wildlife rescue helplines at once.
  
  

• Support rescue efforts
  By sharing this message, volunteering, or contributing to rehabilitation work.
  
  

Every bird saved is a step toward a safer, kinder Bengaluru ,a city where festivals bring joy, not injury; celebration, not suffering; and compassion, not silence.