Telangana state government bans Chinese manja on eve of Sankranti

The move has been welcomed by Humane Society International/ India who have been rigorously campaigning for the ban on Chinese manja with the support of the Telangana Forest Department and Telangana State Biodiversity Board. Invoking the powers conferred to it under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the government has imposed the ban on all harmful substances used for kite flying. 

Telangana Forest Department Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) PK Sharma, said, “The State Government has taken serious note of the problem with Chinese manja and issued the ban. This ban will go a long way in ensuring that this lethal, toxic and non-biodegradable manja will no longer harm birds, humans and the environment.” Made up of nylon and coated with glass, Chinese manja, was extremely durable, sharp and easily cuts through wings of birds, leaving most injured birds to suffer and die. It continues to pose a threat to animal and human lives. With this order, the Telangana Government has now joined the growing league of states that have taken strict action against the harmful glass-coated, nylon manja.