Festive Skies, Responsible Choices: How the Right Kite String Can Save Lives This Makar Sankranti

This Makar Sankranti, choosing safe kite strings and mindful flying practices can protect people, birds, and animals while keeping the festive spirit alive.

January 14, 2026 | Pune: As Makar Sankranti approaches, cities and towns across India prepare for one of the most vibrant traditions of the season — kite flying. Rooftops fill with families, open grounds buzz with excitement, and the winter sky transforms into a canvas of colour. While the festival brings joy and togetherness, growing awareness highlights the need for responsible celebration, particularly when it comes to the choice of kite string, which can make the difference between festive fun and serious harm.

In recent years, the increasing use of synthetic and glass-coated kite strings has raised significant safety concerns. These strings are designed to be sharp and strong, often used in competitive kite flying to cut rival kites. However, their sharp edges pose severe risks beyond the game. Birds flying freely through the sky often collide with these nearly invisible threads, leading to deep cuts, broken wings, or fatal neck injuries. Animals on the ground also suffer when loose or discarded strings entangle their legs or bodies, causing wounds that can result in long-term suffering or death.

Humans are equally vulnerable to these dangers. Sharp kite strings stretched across streets, terraces, or between buildings can cause sudden and severe injuries to pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. During the festive season, hospitals frequently report cases of deep cuts to hands, faces, and throats caused by accidental contact with hazardous kite strings. Such incidents often occur unexpectedly, turning moments of celebration into medical emergencies.

To reduce these risks, safety advocates strongly recommend returning to traditional cotton kite strings, which are far less dangerous. Cotton strings are thicker, more visible, and lack the glass or metal coating that causes severe injuries. In many cases, cotton threads break on impact rather than tightening dangerously, significantly lowering the risk to birds, animals, and people. Additionally, cotton is biodegradable, making it a more environmentally responsible choice compared to synthetic materials that linger in the environment.

Authorities in several regions have already imposed bans on the manufacture, sale, and use of dangerous kite strings, with strict penalties for violations. Despite these regulations, unsafe strings continue to circulate during the festive season, often due to lack of awareness. This makes informed consumer choices and public responsibility essential to preventing avoidable accidents.

Responsible kite flying goes beyond choosing the right string. Flying kites in open spaces away from roads, power lines, and crowded areas can greatly reduce risks. Wearing protective gloves, supervising children, and ensuring rooftops are safe also help prevent injuries. After the celebrations, collecting and properly disposing of leftover kite strings is a simple but powerful step to protect birds and animals from post-festival hazards.

Makar Sankranti symbolizes new beginnings, positivity, and harmony with nature. Celebrating the festival with care ensures that its joy is shared without causing harm. By choosing safe kite strings and practicing mindful flying, communities can keep the skies festive while safeguarding lives — human and animal alike.0

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