Telangana News

Complaining that the sharp string of glass coated "Manja" poses a danger to humans, animals and birds, the National Green Tribunal imposed an interim nationwide ban on it.

Along with metal powder, the green panel said that, the ban order would apply on nylon, Chinese and cotton manja coated with glass and directed Manja Association of India to submit report to Central Pollution Control Board on the harmful effects of kite strings.

Animal rights body People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sought ban on manja, keeping in mind the upcoming festival, Sankranthi, where it would be used to fly kites. PETA's petition has contended that manja posed a grave threat to humans and animals as every year a number of deaths are caused by it. 

"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 in order to make them razor sharp to cut through other persons' kite strings."

The petition had said 'manja' posed a huge threat when it came into contact with live overhead electric wires, leading to grid failure. 

"Due to 'manja' being coated with glass, metals and other sharp material, these strings act as good conductors of electricity, increasing the probability of detached manja strings stuck in power lines, electrocuting kite flyers and passers-by coming into contact with these strings," it said.