Kite strings coated with glass, popular as 'manja', are highly dangerous and may easily cut one's throat, the National Green Tribunal today observed while refusing to grant permission for making such thread.
"We can't permit it," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Swatanter Kumar said after going through various samples of manja produced before it in pursuance to its earlier order.
Among the samples, the bench found one nylon thread, coated with glass, and observed it was very hard.
"It can easily cut the throat. It is highly dangerous," it said.
However, the counsel appearing for the manja company told the bench that "it is less than the 6 ply which is not harmful rather it is biodegradable and shockproof".
However, the petitioner submitted the pictures allegedly depicting the consequences of those manja strings.
At this, the bench said, "We can't permit it."
"We are ready to bring down the quality to whatever the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recommends. Banning it completely will be a huge loss. We have around 2000 workers who depend on us. We produce manja and nothing else," the counsel said.
The counsel for the CPCB told the panel that it has sent the samples of manjha to a central institute in Ahmedabad for testing the composition and the report was still awaited.
The panel has now posted the matter for further hearing on February 16.
The bench had on February 1 asked all state governments and animal rights body PETA to bring samples of manja to show if it poses danger to humans, animals and birds.
The bench had sought the demonstration of the glass-coated cotton thread after a dispute arose between the states and PETA regarding the issue of harm caused by the sharp string.
While the states' counsel had argued that no harm is
caused by manja and it can be easily broken into two just by using hands, the animal rights body's lawyer contended that the thread is as "lethal as knife" and "cotton thread with glass coating has been designed to cut".
The bench had on December 14, 2016, imposed an interim nationwide ban on use of glass-coated 'manja' for flying kites as it poses a danger to humans, animals and birds.
It had said the ban order would apply on nylon, Chinese and cotton manja coated with glass and asked Manja Association of India to submit report to Central Pollution Control Board on harmful effects of kite strings.
The direction had come after senior advocate Sanjay Hegde and advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for PETA, had earlier sought a ban, saying that Makar Sankranti festival was approaching and manja would be used for flying kites.
The bench had earlier noted that 'manja', string coated with glass and metal powder and used for flying kites, posed a threat to the environment.
It had earlier issued notices to all the state governments and sought their response on the plea of PETA on the matter.
In its petition, PETA contended that 'manja' posed a grave threat to humans and animals as every year a number of deaths are caused by it.
"To increase the chances of being able to cut as many kites as possible, kite strings are made deliberately sharp with churned glass, metals and other materials in order to make them razor sharp to cut through other persons' kite strings," it had said, adding that 'manja' posed a huge threat when it comes into contact with live overhead electric wires, leading to grid failure.
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.
