Before Makar Sankranti, the government requests that no Nylon Manja be used for kite flying

In order to strictly abide by the directives issued by the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court on December 20, last year, the Maharashtra Government has requested district, civic, and police authorities throughout to make sure that Pucca threads, also known as Nylon Manja made out of plastic or any other such synthetic material, are not used in preparation for the kite flying festival on the occasion of Makar Sankrant.

 

"The local authorities to undertake public awareness programme every year before the Makar Sankrant festival at schools, colleges, and the public at large through print, electronic, and social media to sensitise people regarding the adverse effects of nylon manja thread which are non-biodegradable in nature and frequently results in accidents, causing grave injuries and inconvenience to animals, birds, as well as human beings," stated Environment Secretary Parvin Darade in an advisory.

 

In accordance with section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, Darade has requested that the district, civic, and police officials completely abide by his instructions. Darade cited a court order that stated: "The wholesalers, merchants, and stockiest dealing in a such thread be halted well in dance so that they do not handle, stock, and sell such so-called nylon manja throughout the year. To avoid damaging effects on soil, streams, and the livestock population brought on by cutting or dropping such kite-flying threads that are not biodegradable and can cause severe harm to wildlife and the environment once they contact the soil strata.

 

The District, Civic, and Police authorities will also need to inform the public that using nylon manja threads frequently causes flash over on power lines and substations, which interrupts service to consumers, strains and damages electrical equipment, and results in accidents, injuries, fatalities, and environmental damage. Therefore, it is important to educate the public about the dangers of using nylon manja for kite flying. The Mumbai Police have already prohibited the usage, sale, and storage of nylon manja from January 12 to February 10 in response to Darade's advice. Similar orders are reportedly forthcoming in other cities and districts, according to sources in the environment department.

 

 

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