Chandigarh's Prince Mehra became the messiah for birds in distress

 

Prince Mehra has been taking care of endangered and injured birds with complete devotion for the past 11 years, for which he has modified his bicycle into an ambulance.

Originally from Chandigarh, Prince Mehra was just in his forties when, during a visit to Ferozepur in 2011, he saw the bodies of two pigeons that had been electrocuted and dumped in a roadside dustbin.

Mehra (52) said, "I took out both the bodies and buried them in a nearby pit."

Mortified  by the incident, the Prince decided to do something for birds in distress following his return to the city.

Now he has been taking care of injured birds for the past 11 years and earning the 'Birdman' sobriquet.

Not only does he look after injured birds, he also disposes of the carcasses found on the roadside.

"The incident also made me wonder that if dead birds are disposed of in a reckless manner, it is not good for the environment. It can also endanger both human and animal health," Mehra told PTI.

He said his bicycle bird ambulance was equipped with all necessary medical aid.

"I move around the city in my bird ambulance and wherever I find an injured bird, I attend to it at the spot or bring it home. If it is seriously injured, I bring the bird to the animal husbandry hospital here where I work. For the birds that don't survive, I bury the carcasses by digging pits on the roadside where they are found. Birds also deserve a dignified burial," he said.

His widespread acclaim was evident after a nationalised bank gave him an e-bike, which he now uses to provide the ambulance service.

His work has also been recognised by the Chandigarh administration, which has given him a state-level award, Mehra said.

If a dead bird is not properly disposed of and left unattended, it can become a cause for spread of diseases, he said.

"From 2011, I have buried 1,254 birds and treated 1,150," Mehra added.

Mehra also gets calls from people informing him about a dead or an injured bird, he said.

Mehra, who earlier worked as a signboard painter, has been working for environmental protection causes since 1990.

"I was associated with a NGO. We used to promote cycling as it was good for the environment," - he said.

"I also write slogans on my cycle with an appeal to the people to save the environment. Doing all that gives me immense satisfaction," he added.

His family also supports him and his children sometimes accompany him to attend to an injured bird, Chandigarh's Birdman said.

"My son is doing a diploma in architecture while my daughter studies in Class 11. Sometimes, they also accompany me on my missions. I tell them and the common people also that we should treat birds and animals as a part of us. They are an important part of the ecosystem. We should take care of our environment," Mehra added.  (Source: PTI)