Delhi Env minister calls for blanket ban on Chinese manja

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain has called for a complete ban on the sale, production, storage and import of Chinese manja or the kite-flying threads made out of plastic or nylon.

In a letter to Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, Hussain said these sharp edged threads not only hurt birds but also children.

"Additionally, users of non-biodegradable threads pose environmental hazard," Hussain said.

There have also been instances of tripping of power lines and sub stations causing power interruptions.

Calling for a complete ban on the sale, production, storage and import of kite strings made of plastic or nylon, Hussain said only cotton threads which are not sharp should be permitted.

Earlier in the month, the Delhi government directed the departments concerned to strictly implement the ban on glass-coated threads or Chinese manja in view of large scale kite-flying in the city on the occasion of Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan.

A complete ban on Chinese manja or any other kind of thread made of nylon, plastic or any other synthetic material was imposed by the Delhi government vide its notification on January 10 last year.