On May 3rd the government of Andhra Pradesh has banned Chinese 'manja' or the sharp string used to fly kites on Makar Sankranti festival and other occasions. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, which has been campaigning for a total ban on manja has welcomed the move.
The department of environment, forests, science and technology through the orders which was issued a few days ago has banned procuring, stocking, sale and use of manja also known as Chinese 'dor' (string), which is made of nylon and coated with finely crushed glass.
The PETA has said in a statement, that it had written to the chief minister and environment minister for the ban on 'manja' which kills thousands of birds every year which includes those who are endangered and several states have already banned manja and Telangana has imposed a ban in January this year on the eve of Sankranti.
Meanwhile a bird rescuer in Ahmadabad has estimated that 2,000 birds including pigeons, kites and vultures are injured every year during the city's Uttarayan festival and that 500 of them die from their injuries.
