Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 28: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, has issued an advisory urging all States and Union Territories, including the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, to amend notifications under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, for a complete prohibition on the manufacture, sale, and use of all harmful sharp threads or Manjha used in kite flying activities.
The AWBI has requested that only plain cotton thread be permitted for kite flying, while banning nylon, synthetic, glass-coated, metal-coated, or any other sharp/gummed threads (including powder glass or metal-coated cotton threads). This advisory aligns with earlier directives, including the National Green Tribunal’s judgment of 11 July 2017 directing a total ban on synthetic and non-biodegradable Manjha threads, as well as previous communications from the AWBI (dated 14 May 2013 and 13 January 2016) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (dated 9 September 2014).
Such harmful Manjha threads pose grave risks to wildlife, particularly birds like pigeons, crows, owls, kites, and vultures, which suffer severe injuries or death upon entanglement. They also endanger human lives, causing accidents such as throat slashes for motorbike riders, electrocution from disrupted power lines, and other injuries. The use of these threads violates provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Constitutional duty under Article 51A(g) to protect the environment and show compassion for living creatures.
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, is fully endorses this advisory from the AWBI and calls upon residents, kite flyers, vendors, and organizers in Sri Vijaya Puram and across the islands to strictly adhere to it. Citizens are requested to use only plain cotton thread for kite flying, refrain from selling or using harmful sharp Manjha, and report any violations to local authorities, police, or animal welfare officers.
This measure promotes animal welfare, wildlife conservation, environmental sustainability, and public safety, especially during festive seasons involving kite flying.