As Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan (kite festival) draws near, Humane Society International/India (HSI/India), an organization dedicated to animal welfare, is encouraging Indians to celebrate cruelty-free Makar Sankranti by abstaining from using synthetic or “Chinese Manja” that is used for kite flying.
‘Chinese Manja’ refers to extremely sharp strings coated in shattered glass that can cause deadly injuries by slicing through the skin of humans, animals, and birds.
Each year, thousands of birds become entangled in these dangerous strings and sustain injuries, some of which are deadly. According to information provided by the Ahmedabad NGO Jivdaya Charitable Trust, almost 4,000 birds were hurt in Ahmedabad alone in 2024.
In the same year, almost 1,000 birds were reported hurt in Mumbai in just two days. Children and motor cycle riders are among the people who are harmed by the synthetic manje. Numerous incidents of severe injuries and fatalities occurred in 2024, including the ultimately passing of a 7-year-old boy in Madhya Pradesh.
The sale and use of this dangerous substance continue in several regions of India even after the National Green Tribunal banned its use in 2017. Alokparna Sengupta, managing director of HSI/India, stated, “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 strict measures. At the same time, 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”.
Synthetic manja is a serious environmental hazard in addition to causing agony to animals. It can cause long-lasting contamination in the environment for years because it is not biodegradable. It puts wildlife and marine life in danger since it is frequently dumped in public areas and waterways, where it can entangle animals or cause them to mistake it for food, which can result in serious injuries or even death.
Citizens, communities, and local authorities are urged by HSI/India to make the event more inclusive and safer for everyone. The group encourages individuals to:
- Make use of environmentally friendly manja: Conventional cotton threads, which were once widely used for kiteflying, are safe for both people and animals and do not harm the environment.
- Report the unlawful sale of Chinese manja: Notify the local police authorities right away if you see any vendors selling it.
- Keep a list of bird helplines: Contact the closest hotline in your region right away if you see an injured bird.
- Pay attention to waste: Avoid leaving trash in public areas, on roadways, or near bodies of water when disposing of kite strings and materials.
Facts:
- Kite flying is regarded as an essential component of Makar Sankranti, a festival that is extensively observed throughout India. Historically, kites were flown using cotton strands. But glass-coated, artificial manjas have replaced them over time.
- Cut sections of manjas are frequently seen hanging in the air after getting tangled in trees, pillars, and other objects.
- Manja is an electrical conductor due to its glass and metal coating. It frequently ends up on electrical poles, where it can physically cause electrocution and kill both humans and birds.
- According to Section 223 of the BharatiyaNyay Sanhita 2023, using Chinese manja is a crime that carries a fine of INR 5,000 or a maximum one-year jail sentence.
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