Despite Ban, Harmful Nylon Manja Continues to Pose Threat in Pune

Pune, 28th December 2024: Despite a statewide ban on nylon manja, a dangerous, glass-coated kite-flying thread, it continues to be widely available in Pune, posing serious risks to both human safety and the environment. Official data reveals that the Pune Police registered 16 cases related to nylon manja in the city over the past five years, with a peak of seven cases in 2023. So far in 2024, four cases have been recorded, as of December 15. Over the years, five people have been arrested for violations, while four have been issued notices, according to the Pune Police.

The ban on nylon manja was enforced in Maharashtra in 2017, following growing concerns about its hazardous impact on humans, animals, and the environment. The state government issued a directive prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and use of nylon manja, citing its potential to cause severe injuries and environmental harm. Offenders face penalties that include fines of up to ₹5,000 and imprisonment for up to three years. Authorities have instead encouraged the use of eco-friendly alternatives made from natural fibers like cotton and hemp.

However, despite these regulations, the harmful glass-coated threads continue to be sold, particularly around the Makar Sankranti festival, when kite flying is at its peak. The thread poses a significant threat to wildlife, especially birds, as it often becomes tangled in trees and along roadsides. According to RESQ Charitable Trust, a non-governmental organization collaborating with the Forest Department, 327 cases of manja-related injuries were reported in 2023. In the first 17 days of January 2024 alone, 40 birds were brought to the NGO with injuries caused by manja. The Pune Fire Department also reported receiving 20 calls across the city about birds entangled in manja strings.

In December 2024, two separate incidents were reported in the Market Yard and Shivne areas, where individuals sustained serious injuries from manja. With Makar Sankranti approaching, the Pune Police have announced plans to take stricter action to curb the sale of the banned material.

Shailesh Balkawade, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), emphasized the importance of enforcing the ban. “The glass and metal-coated manja is banned in Maharashtra due to its harmful nature and the serious environmental threat it poses,” he said. “Strict action will be taken against offenders. We urge citizens to avoid using this dangerous thread and opt for the eco-friendly alternatives available in the market.”

In addition to law enforcement, several local organizations are actively working to raise awareness about the dangers of manja. Lokesh Bapat and Mukund Shinde, members of the Tell Us organization in Pune, have been vocal in their opposition to the continued production and sale of the harmful thread. “Every year, just before and after the Sankranti festival, we conduct a drive on Taljai Hill to collect kites and manja stuck in trees and bushes,” said Bapat. “During these drives, we fill four to five large bags with debris, and often, we rescue birds that are injured or entangled in the manja. We urge citizens to conduct similar drives in other parts of Pune.”

Bapat also criticized the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for its insufficient response. “For the past few years, we have written to the PMC, urging them to take stronger action against the use of manja,” he said. “In response, the corporation has only issued awareness notices. That’s not enough to stop the illegal use of this thread. The authorities need to focus not just on stopping sales, but also on the manufacturing of nylon manja.”

Statistics on Cases Registered in Pune City (2019–2024)