Hyderabad: Telangana Forest Department will take strict action against the manufacture, sale and use of Chinese manja, which is a thread made up of synthetic material coated with sharp substances and is non-biodegradable. Under the section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, any person found to be violating the act is liable and will be punished with imprisonment up to 5 years or with a fine up to one lakh rupees or with both.
Chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden R. Shobha said, “Synthetic thread and glass-coated manja causes injury to wild animals and birds, such thread amounts to hunting under section – 9 which is punishable under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.”
“Under section – 51 with imprisonment of 3 to 7 years and fine not less than Rs.10,000. Also, causing injury or death to domestic animals attracts provision of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960,” she added.
The forest department has directed the police department to keep an eye on the manufacture, sale and use of Chinese manja. The police have also started conducting search operations at the thread making companies and kite markets.
Recently, Hyderabad City Police have arrested two persons for selling manja in the city and have seized hundreds of bundles of synthetic thread after raiding two kite shops in Dhoolpet.
Forest department officials asked the citizens to report the use of Chinese manja on the department’s helpline 1800-425-5364 or 040-2323-1440.
In 2016 the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the manufacture, sale, store, purchase and usage of synthetic manja or nylon thread and all other similar synthetic thread use for kite flying.
