Three people have been accused of selling banned kite string after 201 rolls were seized of the nylon and metal-based material in Delhi.
During the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, kite flying is a beloved tradition. Although it may seem harmless and fun, this practise can be harmful, especially for birds.
The main problem is not flying kites but rather using Chinese made metal-coated manjha (strings), which puts both kite flyers and birds at risk.
A doctor at a bird hospital in Delhi’s Chandini Chowk area reports an increase in cases of birds being injured by manjha around this time.
“I have been rendering my services to this bird hospital for the past four years. We have to treat all kinds of birds, from injured ones to those suffering from diseases. Right now, cases of birds being injured by Manjha are coming in. At times, the bones of the birds are also broken because of the manjha. Since August 15 is approaching, such cases will increase further,” said Haravtar Singh, a doctor at the bird hospital in Delhi.
“Chinese manjha is harmful to the environment, and it poses a threat to humans as well. This is the reason we don’t wish to sell it. Association has asked us not to use it. The cotton thread should be used,” he said.
In response to this issue, earlier this month, Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai appealed to the people not to use Chinese Manjha and warned that punitive action would be taken against anyone found using or selling it.
The Minister shared that an advisory has been issued to all the concerned departments on behalf of the Department of Environment regarding the ban on the use of Chinese manjha. Regarding the use of Chinese Manjha, there has been a complete ban on the production, storage, sale, and use of all types of Chinese Manjha in Delhi, according to a release.
