Nylon / Synthetic thread and glass-coated manjha has been in use for kite-flying during Sankranthi for past several years. Such manjha poses a serious threat to the safety of animals, humans and environment alike.Over the years, glass coated Nylon manjha has injured innumerable birds, animals and humans causing serious injuries and/or slow, painful deaths.
Many humans, including young children, have also suffered impairment or lost their lives because of such manjha. The synthetic manjha remains in the environment for a long time as a toxic pollutant on tree tops, electric wires, roof tops long after the festival, causing injuries and even deaths. Improperly discarded manjha is known to cut fingers, hands, throats of Kite flyers motorcyclists with equal ease. The invasion of Nylon and glass-coated manjha has resulted in the loss of livelihoods of innumerable local traditional cotton manjha craftsmen.
The National Green Tribunal in Order dt.11.07.2017 in O.A. No. 384 of 2016 and O.A. No. 442 of 2016 ordered a total ban on Manjha or tread for kite flying, which is made of Nylon and any synthetic material and / or is coated with synthetic substance and is non-biodegradable.
The Hon’ble NGT further directed to prohibit the manufacture, sale, store, purchase and use of synthetic Manjha / Nylon thread and all other similar synthetic thread use for kite flying.
The Government of Telangana, in exercise of its powers under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 imposed a complete ban vide G.M. No. 5030/For.III/A2/2016, EFS&T, dt. 09.09.2017 on the procurement, stocking, sale and use of nylon- thread commonly called ‘Chinese Dor’ or other synthetic (non-biodegradable) thread coated with glass or other harmful substances used for kite flying, with effect from 13 January 2016.
The Telangana Forest Department in coordination with other Govt. Departments like Police, GHMC, Pollution Control Board, NGOs and Wildlife Conservationists is carrying out a publicity campaign by distributing posters in Telugu, English and Urdu explaining the harmful effects of Synthetic Manja and requesting the Manja and Kite shop owners not to stock or sell the synthetic Manja.
During the festival season the Forest Department is deploying 5 to 6 mobile parties with uniformed staff and NGOs to go round the shops selling this Manja to ensure implementation of the ban order. Till date 1391 Kgs of Synthetic Manja valued at
