Using Chinese manja can land you in jail

Hyderabad: A meeting was held to discuss on implementation of National Green Tribunal orders banning synthetic Chinese manja for kite flying, here at Aranya Bhavan on Friday. Higher officials of Forest department, representatives of voluntary organizations and media persons participated in the meeting.  Prashant Kumar Jha, PCCF, provided the details of the meeting. In view of severe damage to environment and birds due to the use of synthetic or Chinese manja threads during kite flying, the Telangana State had banned use of synthetic and Chinese manja threads on July 11, 2017, based on the orders of NGT.

The meeting discussed on the measures to be taken to prevent their use in the State in coordination with other department and voluntary organizations, he said. He said that those who sell or store the hazardous threads would receive punishment up to five years imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh, he said. If any human or bird are harmed due to the use of Chinese Manja, a punishment of three to five years imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000 would be imposed on perpetrators of the offence. He said that about 900 kg of manja was recovered in last three years and 123 cases were booked against offenders. 

He warned that vehicles which transport illegal threads would be seized. Due to illegal import of Chinese manja, the local manufactures of threads and kites are in danger of losing employment, he lamented. If any sale of Chinese manja is observed, people can inform to toll free number 040-23231440 or 18004255364. Among those who participated in the meeting include PCCF PK Jha, Prithviraj, additional PCCF Muneendra, S Srinivas, OSD of Forest department Shankaran and other forest officials, representatives of voluntary organizations, press persons and others.