In a bid to prevent harm to animals and the environment, The Telangana government on Wednesday issued a complete ban on the procurement, sale and use of the nylon threads, also known as ‘Chinese manja’, during the Makar Sankranthi festival. Along with this the usage of non-biodegradable or the synthetic threads coated with glass is also banned, as it can cause injuries.
The decision of banning came into effect only after many efforts were undertaken by the animal rights activists, the Forest Department officials and Telangana State Biodiversity Board (TSBDB).
The government has even informed all the states about the possible threat to birds due to the manja and has requested them to take an appropriate action. The government further noted that materials used in making manja can be harmful to the waters and soil because it is non-recyclable.
“The ban is definitely going to make a positive difference in protecting birds. Made up of nylon and coated with glass, Chinese manja is extremely durable, sharp and easily cuts through the wings of birds, leaving most injured birds to suffer and die,” said campaign manager, Humane Society International, C. Samyukta.