During the Sankranthi festival season, the Telangana Forest Department will deploy six mobile parties with uniformed staff and NGOs to go around shops selling synthetic Manja to ensure that the ban order is followed. 1391 kilograms of synthetic Manja worth Rs.28 lakh have been seized so far.
The Nylon / Synthetic thread and glass-coated Manja pose a serious threat to animal, human, and environmental safety. Glass-coated Nylon Manja has injured numerous birds, animals, and humans over the years, causing serious injuries and/or slow, painful deaths.
Many humans, including young children, have also suffered impairment or lost their lives because of such Manja, said the forest official.
Furthermore, the synthetic Manja remains in the environment for an extended period of time as a toxic pollutant on tree tops, electric wires, and rooftops. It also causes injuries and, in extreme cases, death. Improperly discarded Manja has been known to easily cut the fingers, hands, and throats of kite flyers and motorcyclists.
The National Green Tribunal has ordered a complete ban on Manjha or tread for kite flying, which is made of Nylon or any synthetic material and/or coated with a synthetic substance that is non-biodegradable. It had directed all relevant departments to prohibit the manufacture, sale, storage, purchase, and use of synthetic Manja / Nylon thread, as well as all other similar synthetic thread used for kite flying.
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In July 2017, the Government of Telangana, in exercise of its powers under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, imposed a complete ban on the procurement, stocking, sale, and use of nylon-thread commonly known as ‘Chinese Dor’ or other synthetic (non-biodegradable) thread coated with glass or other harmful substances used for kite flying, officials stated.
If anyone is caught possessing or selling Manja, the forest department has warned that under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the violator faces imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both.
Such incidents should be reported to the Telangana State Forest Department on the 24 x 7 helpline at 1800-425-5364 or 040-23231440.
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