Kite flying festival will become much safer as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday banned the use of synthetic and nylon (Chinese) manja as it was life threatening and posed a threat to the environment. However, cotton thread coated with a degradable material has been excluded.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India had filed a petition exhorting for a nationwide ban on all forms of sharp kite-flying strings called manja. Its representative, senior advocate Sanjay Hegde scientifically demonstrated to the court how the synthetic threads cause serious injuries to humans and birds when used in kite flying.

He also insisted that the threads are non-biodegradable and materials such as glass that are also used to coat the threads remains intact in the environment for many years.

PETA Lead - Public Policy, Nikunj Sharma said that the prohibition on the use of synthetic and nylon manja is a lifesaving step and they will persevere in their efforts till all dangerous manja is banned. He said that glass coated manja is a cause of worry and the reason behind many deaths.

 The use of these dangerous kite strings has also led to the death of thousands of birds during the kite flying season.