Raids and ban not helping check sale of Chinese manja in season of kite-flying
Hyderabad: Banned or not, dangerous to humans and birds or not, there appears to be no stopping the demand for the so-called ‘Chinese manja’ -- a synthetic high-strength string, often coated with powdered glass, or even metal.
The demand for Chinese manja continues to soar as the game of kite-flying reaches a peak in the season of Sankranti.
Officials claim to have initiated a crackdown on this dangerous synthetic manja that led to deaths in the past -- some having had their throats cut after accidentally coming into contact with the string. So do a large number of birds that get caught in the string after a kite is cut and gets stuck on tree branches.
Officials say their raids have not yielded much in terms of seizures of the Chinese manja this year.
Inquiries by Deccan Chronicle have found that the Chinese manja is easily available at outlets of kite sellers across the city. Some dealers said the officials are turning a blind eye to the illegal trade.
The banned Chinese manja, which costs between Rs 300 to Rs 600 for a reel of 4,000 meters, is more durable when kites get entangled in fights. Another reason why people are gravitating to the synthetic manja is that the traditional cotton manja is expensive. It is made out of pure cotton thread and a lot of craftsmanship is needed in making the manja.
Chinese manja is a polyester product, made of machines, and this thread is strictly meant for industrial purposes. It is clearly printed on its reel that this is ‘Only for industrial purpose’.
The kite-sellers in various markets said, “We are aware this is hazardous. But there is a huge demand for this synthetic thread from the public. If they don’t find it with us, they to to other shops. We lose out in the sale of kites and other Sankranti Items. This whole business is for two or three days and we know how to handle the officials.”
According to an official from the district forest office, a fine of around Rs 6 lakh was collected from law-violators selling the banned Chinese manja’ at their shops. This year, we are conducting raids across the city but could not find any shop selling this. Our anti- poaching teams are also continuing these raids. Since forest department offices are stricter in previous years, shops are scared of selling this banned material.”
In 2016, the Telangana government issued orders, imposing a total ban on synthetic and nylon thread in kite-flying. The National Green Tribunal passed an order effecting a total ban on the use of nylon or synthetic thread in kite-flying during Sankranti.
The forest department, in order to implement the ban orders, has organised mobile squads to check the sale and purchase of synthetic manja during the Sankranti festival in and around the twin cities.
