Manja: NGT asks PETA to submit notifications issued by states

The National Green Tribunal has directed animal rights body PETA to submit orders passed by high courts and notifications issued by state governments on banning the use of glass-coated 'manja' (strings).
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Swatanter Kumar noted that strings coated with glass, nylon and other material used for flying kites were highly dangerous for the environment.
"The counsel appearing for the applicant (PETA) shall file on record the complete list of the notifications, if any, issued by the state governments banning the nylon, glass and other iron powder coated nylon and others threads. Some High Courts of India have also issued directions in that regard.

"Let complete list be filed within two days in the registry with copy to all the counsel appearing in this case and they may verify the said facts. All the state governments shall also file the details of such notification, if issued by the state governments," the bench said and posted the matter for further hearing on March 20.
The tribunal had earlier imposed interim nationwide ban on use of glass-coated 'manja' for flying kites, noting that the sharp string poses a danger to humans, animals and birds.
"We hereby direct that in the entire country there shall be prohibition on procuring, stocking, sale and use of nylon thread which is also called Chinese dori or Chinese manja and other synthetic threads coated with glass and such other harmful substances for kite flying," it had said.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by animal rights body People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) seeking nationwide ban on manja as the thread posed grave threat to humans and animals.
PETA had averred that minor children were engaged by the cottage industry for the manufacture of manja which caused respiratory problems as they inhaled harmful substances which were extremely detrimental to their health.