Karuna Abhiyan

Context: Gujarat Chief Minister reviewed rescue operations under Karuna Abhiyan-2026 during the Uttarayan festival after a surge in bird injuries caused by kite strings, highlighting the state’s large-scale wildlife protection drive.

About Karuna Abhiyan:

What it is?

• Karuna Abhiyan is a state-wide wildlife rescue and rehabilitation campaign launched by Gujarat in 2017 to protect birds and animals injured during festivals, especially kite-flying during Uttarayan.

Key features:

• Massive rescue network: More than 700 veterinarians, 8,600+ volunteers and 1,000+ centres operate across Gujarat during the high-risk festival period.

• Dedicated wildlife infrastructure: Includes specialised Water Bird Units, mobile veterinary clinics, animal ambulances and branch clinics.

• 24×7 digital helplines: WhatsApp (8320002000), Forest emergency (1926) and Animal Husbandry helpline (1962) enable instant reporting and district-wise centre access.

• Inter-departmental coordination: Forest Department, Animal Husbandry, municipalities, NCC and NGOs work together for real-time response.

Significance:

• Karuna Abhiyan is India’s first state-driven festival-linked wildlife protection campaign, having rescued over 1.12 lakh animals and birds since 2017.

• It has become a national benchmark for humane wildlife governance, integrating technology, volunteers and public institutions to protect biodiversity during mass cultural events.

Relevance for UPSC Examination:

• GS-II (Governance) Cooperative governance between state agencies, municipalities and civil society Use of technology for public service delivery and grievance redressal

• Cooperative governance between state agencies, municipalities and civil society

• Use of technology for public service delivery and grievance redressal

• GS-III (Environment & Biodiversity) Wildlife conservation outside protected areas Human–wildlife interaction and festival-linked ecological risks

• Wildlife conservation outside protected areas

• Human–wildlife interaction and festival-linked ecological risks

• GS-IV (Ethics in Public Administration) Compassionate governance and ethical responsibility toward non-human life Public service values such as empathy, duty and environmental stewardship

• Compassionate governance and ethical responsibility toward non-human life

• Public service values such as empathy, duty and environmental stewardship