Vashi student turns saviour, helps 79 birds during Diwali

Even as his family and friends were busy celebrating Diwali, a 23-year-old Vashi resident was busy attending to his feathered friends. In the last three days, Nikhil Kolekar, an MBA student, has rescued 79 birds that were taken ill caused from pollution by firecrackers.
Mr Kolekar had started a bird rescue helpline in 2008 despite opposition from his family.
“I have rescued 79 birds this Diwali. Most of the injured birds were pigeons and woodpeckers. Unlike eagles or cows, these birds have weak hearts. So, the pollution created from fire crackers affects their breathing system and they fall down,” said Mr Kolekar.

During Diwali, the harmful gases released from firecrackers affects birds, as they feel suffocated. Even if they fly far away from the city, the atmosphere gets so polluted that it becomes impossible to get pure oxygen to breathe, he added.
To save the birds, Mr Kolekar along with 2,500 volunteers worked round-the-clock during the festival season.
“When I get calls from far off areas, I ask some volunteers living nearby to help. However, in most of the cases I attend to the calls personally as many volunteers lack the proper knowledge to handle injured birds,” he said.
When, he started the helpline in 2008, his family was sceptical about the initiative but now they do not stop him, he said.
“I love birds and consider it my duty to save them. I don’t care if I am able to celebrate a festival with my family or not. Every time I save a bird, it gives me joy which no Diwali celebration can give,” he added.
According to the state animal husbandry department, a total of 500 bird rescue calls were recorded.
Mumbai bird rescue helpline, an NGO working for animal safety, received 125 bird rescue calls in addition to the 22 calls related to dogs.
“During Diwali, many throw fire crackers at stray dogs just for fun. This not only injures them but also burns their skin,” said an officer from Mumbai bird rescue helpline.
Rescue Calls
According to the state animal husbandry department, a total of 500 bird rescue calls were recorded
Mumbai bird rescue helpline, an NGO working for animal safety, received 125 bird rescue calls in addition to the 22 calls related to dogs