Ban on Synthetic Thread (Chinese Manja)

The Prl. Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) & Chief Wildlife Warden explained that Nylon / Synthetic thread and glass-coated manjha has been in use for kite-flying during Sankranthi for past several years. Such manjha poses a serious threat to the safety of animals, humans and environment  alike. Over the years, glass coated Nylon manjha has injured innumerable birds, animals and humans causing  serious injuries and/or slow, painful deaths.

Many humans, including young children, have also suffered impairment or lost their lives because of such manjha. The synthetic manjha remains in the environment for a long time as a toxic pollutant on tree tops, electric wires, roof tops long after the festival, causing injuries and even deaths.  Improperly discarded manjha is known to cut  fingers, hands, throats of Kite flyers motorcyclists with equal ease. The invasion of Nylon and glass-coated manjha has resulted in the loss of livelihoods of innumerable local traditional cotton manjha craftsmen.

WHY SHOULD WE SHUN CHINESE MANJHA?

The National Green Tribunal in Order dt.11.07.2017 in O.A. No. 384 of 2016 and O.A. No. 442 of 2016 ordered a total ban on Manjha or tread for kite flying, which is made of Nylon and any synthetic material and / or is coated with synthetic substance and is non-biodegradable.

The Hon’ble NGT further directed to prohibit the manufacture, sale, store, purchase and use of synthetic Manjha / Nylon thread and all other similar synthetic thread use for kite flying. 

The Government of Telangana, in exercise of its powers under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 imposed a complete ban vide G.M. No. 5030/For.III/A2/2016, EFS&T, dt. 09.09.2017 on the procurement, stocking, sale and use of nylon- thread commonly called ‘Chinese Dor’ or other synthetic (non-biodegradable) thread coated with glass or other harmful substances used for kite flying, with effect from 13 January 2016.

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS

As per section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 any person found to be in violating the orders or directions under the Act is liable to be punished with imprisonment up to 5 years or with a fine up to one lakh rupees or with both.

Causing injury to Wild animals and Birds  or death with  synthetic manjha amounts to hunting under section – 9 which is punishable under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 under section – 51 with imprisonment of 3 to 7 years and fine not less than Rs.10,000/-.

Causing injury or death to domestic animals attracts provision of Prevention of  Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.

Such cases may be reported to Telangana State Forest Department on 24 x 7 helpline 1800-425-5364 or  040-2323-1440.

The Chief Wildlife Warden informed the participants that in an unfolding Avian Flu crisis, a substantial number of high altitude birds, particularly the Bar Headed Geese, which add charm to our wetlands every winter have perished along with other birds species.Latest reports of Avian Flu indicate spread in 9 States i.e UP, Himachal, Delhi, Haryana, Gujrat, Rajasthan, MP, Maharashtra, & Kerala.

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, GOI requested all the States to take preventive measures to control the spread of Bird Flu and to detect and report all cases of death of Birds to the concerned authorities for taking necessary actions.

Over 2000 Bar Headed Geese were found dead in Pong Dam lake in Himachal.More than 4.00 lakh birds have died (domestic & wild) in Haryana.Over 1.20 lakh ducks have died in Kerala.The Strains of bird flu confirmed are H5N8 and H5N1.These strains are zoonotic and have potential to spread to human population also.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The field officers have been instructed to collect the carcasses of birds detected during this period, pack them safely and send to veterinary science laboratories for analysing and identifying cause of death.The general public has been requested to be alert and if any dead bird is noticed, the information should be passed on to the wildlife crime control cell at Aranya Bhavan, Hyderabad with toll free no. 1800-425-5364, which functions around the clock.

The District Officers have been requested to coordinate with the Animal Husbandry, as well as the District Administration in taking required preventive measures and vigil to detect death of birds.The Nehru Zoo Park, Hyderabad and Kakatiya Zoo,  Warangal have taken prophylactic measures like spread of bleaching and lime powder around enclosures, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the area.Bird sections in the Zoos have been closed to public and only animal keepers protected with PPE kits are permitted to provide feed & water.

All water bodies and reservoirs in forest & wildlife areas are under surveillance for sick and dead birds.The Forest Dept., seeks the co-operation of NGOs and Volunteers to keep surveillance on wetlands and bird areas outside forests and protected areas. Central Zoo Authority is using daily progress report to monitor the spread of the virus. 

The NGO’s participated in the meeting assured the Forest Department of their full co-operation and support for the detection and control of Bird Flu.

PccF R. Sobha, Adl PccF Siddanand Kukreti, OSD Shankaran , WWF farida tampal, and NGOs Participated this meeting.

-Press note