The NGT, however, made a clear distinction and emphasized that it had not banned use of traditional cotton manjha or kite string for kite flying during festivals and for recreational activity.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday passed a judgment imposing a total ban on nylon or any synthetic manjha, including the ones coated with non-biodegradable substances due to its threat to birds, animals, humans as well as the environment. The green court also directed all state governments and union territories to ban import of any synthetic manjha and nylon thread in any part of the country.
The NGT, however, made a clear distinction and emphasized that it had not banned use of traditional cotton manjha or kite string for kite flying during festivals and for recreational activity. It even added that traditional cotton kite strings, coated with powdered glass, could be used as the glass was coated using adhesives which reduced its sharpness.
An NGT bench, headed by its chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, pronounced the judgment on a plea filed by Khalid Ashraf, Smt. Rani and non-profit organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Family members of Ashraf and Smt.Rani were fatally injured after a razor sharp nylon kite string slit their throat.
The NGT asked chief secretaries of all states to enforce the prohibition of manufacture and use of nylon kite string and also inform district collectors and superintendent of police for compliance. In case of violations, authorities have been ordered to take action under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Wildlife Protection Act.
The bench observed: "The ill-effects of these hazardous nylon strings have created havoc everywhere... At all levels, stringent measures have been initiated to curb the damage caused by nylon, plastic string."
It noted that the nylon strings were made of monofilament or fishing line from a single fibre of plastic.
"Most monofilaments are non-biodegradable and can last for hundreds of years depending on environmental conditions. It is because of the fact that the monofilament is thin and clear that it is difficult for birds and animals to see and they are easily brushed up against it and get entangled," the judgment noted.
Injuries and lacerations to pedestrians and motorists is often reported during mass kite-flying occasions such as Makar Sankranti in western India and in Delhi on Independence Day. There have also been cases where children flying kites with nylon strings have suffered fatal electric shocks after their strings came in contact with high tension power lines.
"This prohibition on the use of synthetic and nylon manja is a lifesaving step and now we must press on until all dangerous manja is banned," Nikunj Sharma, Lead-Public Policy, PETA, said.
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