Kite flying is a cherished tradition during many festivals and celebrations, but the alarming rise in tragic incidents involving banned Chinese Manjha during these events has raised serious concerns. Kites, which originated in China around 3,000 years ago, were initially made from silk fabric and bamboo, readily available materials. Ironically, the kite thread coated with Manjha also hails from China and has gained popularity across various Asian countries alongside kite flying.
Year after year, many people and birds suffer severe injuries due to kite threads made from Chinese glass-coated or synthetic Manjha for which the string proves fatal. Disturbing incidents, such as the death of a three-year-old boy riding with his father on a bike in Chennai, a 13-year-old in Adampur, Punjab, whose neck was slit while riding a scooter, and a man in Delhi who bled to death after becoming entangled in a string, have sparked public outrage. Reports from the Animal Welfare Board of India indicate that at least 2,000 birds are injured, with over 500 fatalities, during the annual kite-flying event in Ahmedabad alone. This data underscores that kite flying, once a harmless pastime, has transformed into a dangerous societal menace.
In response to these tragedies, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a nationwide ban on the synthetic-glassed thread (Manjha) on July 11, 2017. The NGT mandated that Chief Secretaries of the states enforce this ban and directed the Union of India to prohibit the import of any synthetic Manjha or similar threads. Furthermore, the NGT instructed authorities to prosecute violators under the Indian Penal Code and the Environment (Protection) Act, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and Wildlife (Protection) Act, as applicable. The Delhi High Court has also urged the government to formulate a compensation policy within eight weeks for those who have lost lives or suffered injuries due to Chinese Manjha, expressing concern over the ongoing fatalities despite existing restrictions.
However, due to inadequate enforcement, Manjha remains easily accessible. The non-biodegradable nylon string poses a significant environmental hazard and is priced at just one-third of a cotton spool, making it an attractive option for kite flyers. While police occasionally seize spools of Manjha and arrest a few individuals following a tragedy, there is a lack of sustained efforts to eradicate this menace. Unless authorities take decisive action, the casualties are likely to grow.
Tehelka’s cover story-“Chinese Manjha-Death on Sale” is the result of an investigation into the alleged availability of banned Chinese Manjha — a glass-coated string used for flying kites that endangers human lives — in markets across Agra, Kolkata, and Delhi reveals that enforcement has failed to curb its presence. The deaths and injuries resulting from manjha highlight the urgency of the situation and call for immediate action, including enhanced surveillance of violators and coordinated efforts by policymakers.
