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Say No to Chinese Manji: Celebrate a Safe and Compassionate Makar Sankranti

Say No to Chinese Manji: Celebrate a Safe and Compassionate Makar Sankranti

As Makar Sankranti approaches, animal protection organization Humane Society International/India (HSI/India) urges citizens across India to celebrate cruelty-free Makar Sankranti by refraining from using synthetic or ‘Chinese manja’ used for kite flying. “Chinese manja” is a term used to describe strings covered with crushed glass that are dangerously sharp and can cut the skin of birds, animals and humans, causing fatal injuries.

Every year, thousands of birds are injured, some fatally, by becoming entangled in these dangerous strings. According to data shared by Jivdaya Charitable Trust, an Ahmedabad-based NGO, around 4,000 birds were injured in Ahmedabad in 2024 alone.

Similarly, in Mumbai, over 1,000 birds were injured in just two days of the same year. The dangers of synthetic manje also extend to humans, causing injuries to motorcyclists and children. In 2024, there were many cases of serious injuries and deaths, including the tragic death of a 7-year-old boy in Madhya Pradesh.

Despite the 2017 ban on Chinese manja by the National Green Tribunal, the sale and use of this hazardous material continues in various parts of India. Alokparna Sengupta, Managing Director, HSI/India, said, “This disregard for the law is disturbing as it turns a joyous occasion into a death trap for birds, animals and humans.

Hotline number for injured birds.

This not only threatens public safety and animal welfare, but also highlights the urgent need for authorities to enforce stricter measures. At the same time, we urge citizens to celebrate a compassionate Makar Sankranti.

When you go for Sankranti shopping, buy cotton threads for kite flying. Don’t pay for something that is not only illegal, but also cruel and likely to hurt or kill those around you.”

In addition to animal suffering, synthetic manja poses a serious threat to the environment. Because it is not biodegradable, it can remain in the environment for years, causing permanent pollution. Often dumped in public spaces and bodies of water, it poses a threat to wildlife and marine life because animals can become entangled in it or mistake it for food, which can lead to serious injury or death.

HSI/India calls on citizens, communities and local authorities to make the festival safer and more compassionate for all. The organization calls on people to:

Use organic manja: Traditional cotton thread, once commonly used for kite flying, is safe for both humans and animals and does not contribute to environmental damage.
Report illegal sale of Chinese manja: If you come across any vendors selling this, please notify your local police immediately.
Keep a list of bird helplines handy: If you come across an injured bird, contact the nearest hotline in your area immediately.
Remember about waste: Dispose of kite strings and materials responsibly, avoiding littering public spaces, roads and bodies of water.

FACTS:

  • Makar Sankranti is a widely celebrated festival across India and kite flying is considered an integral part of it. Traditionally, cotton threads were used to fly kites. However, over time, synthetic manjas covered with glass dominate.
  • It is common to see cut pieces of manja hanging in the air, caught on pillars, trees and other surfaces.
  • The glass and metal coating of manja makes it a conductor of electricity. It often ends up on electricity poles, becoming a tangible source of electric shock, causing the death of birds and people.
  • Under Section 223 of the BharatiyaNyay Sanhita Act 2023, use of Chinese manja is considered an offense punishable with a fine of INR 5,000 or imprisonment of up to one year.

Posted by:

Vaishnavi parashar

Published:

January 8, 2025