Prior to the approaching kite festival of Uttarayan and Makar Sankaranti next month, the National Green Tribunal on Wednesday passed an interim prohibitory order banning the procurement, stocking, sale and use of forms of sharp kite-flying strings called Manja, till its next hearing in February.
This comes in response to a petition filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), following deaths of birds and human from the glass powder coated lethal kite string.
The Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar passed the order stating that ‘manja’, string coated with glass and metal powder and used for flying kites, poses a threat to the environment. It further said that the ban order would apply on nylon, Chinese and even cotton manja coated with glass and directed Manja Association of India to submit report to Central Pollution Control Board on harmful effects of kite strings. The interim ban is expected to save the lives of birds as well as human, prior to the kite festival next month. The next hearing is scheduled on February 1, 2017.
“The court order is significant as it bans the use of all sharp coated kite flying strings - including nylon, plastic or even cotton. This would certainly prove to be a deterrent and revive the sheer joy and fun of kite flying with the original harmless cotton threads,” says Nikunj Sharma, Government Affairs liaison, PETA India.
In its petition, PETA contended that ‘manja’ posed a grave threat to humans and animals as every year causing a large number of deaths.”To increase the chances of being able to cut as many kites as possible, kite strings are made deliberately sharp with churned glass, metals and other materials, “said the petition.
The petition said ‘manja’ posed a huge threat when it came into contact with live overhead electric wires, leading to grid failure. Being coated with powder of metals along with glass, the strings act as good conductors of electricity. This also increases the probability of detached manja strings stuck in power lines, electrocuting kite flyers and passers-by coming into contact with them, said the petition.
PETA further pointed out that minor children were engaged by the cottage industry for the manufacture of ‘manja’. This caused respiratory problems , as they inhaled harmful substances that were detrimental to their health.