The Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday, banned the procurement, stocking, sale and use of Chinese 'manja' or nylon manja, stating that it harmed birds.
The Times of India reported:
Unlike the cotton thread manja traditionally used for kites, the Chinese variety is made of nylon. Since the Chinese manja is highly durable and sharp, it causes injuries to birds. There have been several instances of birds dying after being trapped in the glass-coated nylon thread. Telangana government banned the Chinese manja in January this year.
Welcoming the decision, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in a statement said that all state governments should adopt measures.
"More than 300 birds were injured in Hyderabad in 2015 during Makar Sankranti, and more than 100 were killed. 2,000 birds – including pigeons, kites and vultures – are injured every year during in cities like Ahmadabad during Uttarayan festival and that 500 of them die from their injuries," it said in a statement.
PETA Government Affairs Liaison Nikunj Sharma said:
"Most people care about wildlife and would choose plain cotton kite strings if they knew that it would spare birds and humans the risk of serious injury and death. PETA is urging state governments across India to ban the sale and use of all forms of sharp manja, and we encourage caring people to make the switch to glass-free cotton strings – for everyone's safety."