NGT notice to Centre on PETA plea for nationwide ban on manja

New Delhi: Animal rights body PETA has sought an immediate nationwide ban on the use of glass-coated manja (strings) for flying kites for causing death and damage, leading the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to seek the governments response on the matter on Tuesday.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Swatanter Kumar issued notice to Ministries of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Home Affairs, Commerce & Industry and Power and the Animal Welfare Board of India who were made parties in the case by the petitioner, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The matter has been put up for further hearing on September 6.

In its petition, PETA contended that manja, sharp string coated with glass and metals, posed a grave threat to humans and animals as every year a number of deaths were caused due to the deadly string.

"To increase the chances of being able to cut as many kites as possible, kite-strings are made deliberately sharp with churned glass, metals and other materials in order to make them razor sharp to cut through other persons kite strings.

"These strings not only cut through other kite strings when in the air, but are also quite capable of cutting through the skin of animals and human beings, thereby severely injuring and even killing them," PETA alleged.

The petition, filed through advocate Shadan Farasat, said manja posed a huge threat when it comes into contact with live overhead electric wires, leading to grid failure.

"Due to manja being coated with glass, metals and other sharp material, these strings act as good conductors of electricity, increasing the probability of detached manja strings stuck in power lines, electrocuting kite flyers and passers-by coming into contact with these strings," it said.

PETA also said minor children were engaged by the cottage industry for the manufacture of manja which caused respiratory problems among them as they inhaled harmful substances which were extremely detrimental to their health.

The plea has also referred to various orders, including the November 2015 order of the Allahabad High Court which banned the use of Chinese manja in the entire State of Uttar Pradesh and sought ban on "manufacture, import, sale and use" of these strings.

The plea came in the backdrop of the tragic death of two children and a youth on the Independence Day after they were entangled by these killer strings.