GURUGRAM: While the city’s air quality post-Diwali is only marginally better than last year, the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) ban on the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR has proven to be a boon for stray animals and birds. At Bird Charitable hospital, situated at Sadar Bazar, there has been a considerable decline in the number of cases of injured birds this Diwali compared to last year.
Raj Kumar, veterinary doctor of the charity hospital, said, “Every year, we get about 50-60 wounded birds due to firecrackers, which leave them either breathless or burn their wings. This year, however, only 17 cases have been reported so far. On Diwali night, we only got seven injured pigeon.”
Ravi Dubey, president of People for Animals (Faridabad), said, “This year has been easier due to the NGT’s ban. We rescued only a calf in Faridabad that was injured by crackers. Last year, we had recused eight injured baby monkeys and dogs.”
Agreeing that many animals are affected by pollution post Diwali, a member of Wildlife SOS said, “Last year, we rescued a peacock that was injured after it bumped into something due to the smog. We have no cases so far this year, but we should wait another day or two to get a right picture.”
Dr Satish Kumar said that so far their Sector-38 based clinic has not received any wounded or burnt animals this year.