Ahead of I-Day, govt advisory warns against Chinese Manjha use

With Independence Day less than a month away, the Delhi government on Wednesday issued an advisory, reminding people to not buy the sharp, synthetic kite flying thread, popular as 'Chinese Manjha'. The move is aimed at protecting birds and preventing fatal accidents.

Chinese Manjha is so sharp that it is known to slash birds and even cause fatal accidents for humans.

The advisory stated that there shall be a "complete ban" on the sale, production, supply, and use of Chinese Manjha or any other kite-flying thread made sharp by lacing it with glass or metal, in the national Capital.

"Kite flying shall be permissible only with cotton thread, free from any sharp, metallic, glass components," the advisory read.

People can also register complaints regarding this on helpline numbers 23962825 (Divisional Commissioner), 9871963535 (Chief Wildlife Warden), 1266 (Commissioner, north and south Delhi Municipal Corporations), 155303 (Commissioner, East Delhi Municipal Corporation), and 100 (Delhi Police).

Earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had called for a country-wide ban on Chinese Manjha. In a 113-page order, the NGT had directed the state governments to enforce the directive.

The judgement described Chinese Manjha as one that is made of synthetic material or yarn in place of cotton and has a coating of material that can cut the skin of animals and human beings. Such string is also a good conductor of electricity, resulting in many accidents from it getting caught up in high-tension electricity lines.

In January, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal had approved a Delhi government proposal to ban Chinese Manjha and similar lethal kite-flying material.