Telangana bans Chinese manja to save birds

The Telangana government has banned sale and use of Chinese manja (nylon thread) and glass-coated manja for kite-flying in its bid to save birds as well as for the safety of humans.

The environment, forests, science and technology department on Wednesday issued orders imposing ban on procuring, stocking, sale and use of Chinese manja and glass-coated manja.

The ban comes on the eve of Sankranti, the annual festival during which people fly kites with manja.

It is also observed that the use of such material is also causing adverse effects on soil, waterways due to its non biodegradable nature apart from causing grievous injury to animals including human beings and causing problem for transmission lines and other communication devices and traffic movement, the order said.

All concerned departments/organisations have been asked to take immediate necessary action to sensitise people for not using such materials and make them aware to resort to use of eco-friendly materials which are biodegradable and not harmful to animals including human beings.

The union ministry of environment, forests and climate change has written a letter to all states and union territories informing about the threat posed to birds like vultures, kites, owls, pigeons, crows etc. due to use of ‘Chinese Dor’ made of nylon and coated with finely crushed glass in kite-flying and requested the states to take appropriate action.

Meanwhile, Humane Society International/India has welcomed the ban on all harmful substances used for kite-flying.

Made of nylon and coated with glass, Chinese manja is extremely durable, sharp and easily cuts through wings of birds, leaving most injured birds to suffer and die. Since manja is often left over on trees, poles and rooftops after Sankranti, it continues to pose a threat to animal and human lives, HSI said in a statement.

“We are certain that from this year on, Sankranti celebrations will be cruelty-free,” said C. Samyukta, wildlife campaign manager for HSI.