Humane Society International/India (HSI/India), an animal protection organisation, has urged Mumbaikars to say no to illegal Chinese manja and celebrate a compassionate Makar Sankranti. The NGO highlighted that around 1,000 birds were reported injured in Mumbai during the festival last year.
HSI/India has urged citizens across India to celebrate a cruelty-free Makar Sankranti by refraining from the use of synthetic or ‘Chinese manja’ used for kite flying. Chinese manja are strings coated with crushed glass which are dangerously sharp and have been known to cut through the skin of birds, animals, and humans, causing fatal injuries.
As per data shared by Jivdaya Charitable Trust, an Ahmedabad-based NGO, more than 1,000 birds were reported injured in Mumbai during the two days of the festival last year. Similarly, Ahmedabad recorded 4,000 injured birds in the same year. HSI/India mentioned that the dangers of synthetic manja extend to humans as well citing multiple cases of serious injuries and death in 2024.
The animal protection organisation added that synthetic manja, being non-biodegradable, also poses a significant environmental threat, as it can stay in the environment for years. Often discarded in public spaces and water bodies, it endangers wildlife and marine life, as animals may become entangled in it or mistake it for food, leading to severe injuries or death, added HSI/India.
HSI/India alleged that despite the National Green Tribunal’s ban on the use of Chinese manja in 2017, the sale and use of this hazardous material persists across various parts of India.
Alokparna Sengupta, managing director of HSI/India said, “This disregard for the law is troubling as it turns a joyous occasion into a death trap for birds, animals and humans. Not only does this jeopardize public safety and animal welfare, but it highlights the urgent need for authorities to enforce stricter measures. We urge the citizens to celebrate a compassionate Makar Sankranti. When you are out shopping for this sankranti, please buy cotton threads to fly your kite. Do not pay for something which is not only illegal but also cruel and can injure and kill those around you.”
The organisation urged people to use traditional cotton threads to fly kites, report illegal sale of Chinese manja, keep a list of bird helplines handy and dispose the kite strings responsibly. It also added that as per Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, the use of Chinese manja is considered a punishable offense with a fine of Rs5,000 or imprisonment up to one year.
Bird Helpline Numbers:
Ahmedabad- 7878171727 (Sajag Group)
Delhi- 9810029698 (Wildlife Rescue)
Mumbai- 8655370005 (PAWS Mumbai)
Jaipur- 9828500065 (Raksha Jaipur Birds And Snake Rescue)
Vadodara- 7228888296 (Animal Rescue Trust)
Hyderabad- 7842227344 (Citizens For Animals)
