Thane Seizes 290 Kg of Plastic in Chinese Manja Crackdown
In a significant move aimed at curbing the environmental and safety hazards posed by the use of Chinese manja, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has imposed a ban on the synthetic kite string in the city. Chinese manja, made of nylon, plastic, or synthetic materials, has long been a cause of concern due to its adverse effects on both humans and wildlife. The TMC’s ban comes in the wake of a comprehensive inspection campaign across various municipal areas to monitor the sale, use, and storage of this hazardous material.
The inspections were carried out across 450 establishments in the city’s ward committee areas, but surprisingly, no Chinese manja was found. However, during the operation, a substantial 290 kg of single-use plastic was seized, and a fine of ₹13 lakh was imposed on violators. The ban prohibits the use of kite strings made from any synthetic materials, including Chinese manja, and allows only cotton threads for flying kites, provided they do not contain sharp metal, glass elements, or other hazardous materials. Chinese manja has been a longstanding environmental and safety issue, as it is often reinforced with finely ground glass or metal, making it highly dangerous for both humans and birds. In addition to posing physical risks such as severe injuries to kite flyers and pedestrians, the sharp nature of this string also leads to significant harm to birds, which may get entangled in the threads, leading to injury or death.
Additionally, since the manja is made of non-biodegradable materials, it contributes to pollution by clogging drainage systems and causing environmental damage. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has already placed stringent restrictions on the production, sale, and use of Chinese manja, acknowledging the severe environmental consequences of this synthetic thread. The string is also a known conductor of electricity, posing a risk of power outages and damage to electrical infrastructure, such as substations, due to its ability to disrupt power lines. To enforce the ban, Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao has instituted regular inspection and seizure drives at the ward level, conducted by vigilance teams. These teams, comprising tax inspectors, sanitation inspectors, health inspectors, pollution control staff, and local police, are tasked with tracking the illegal sale and use of the banned kite string.
In a bid to ensure better citizen involvement, the TMC has set up a toll-free number, 8657887101, and an email address, pcctmc.ho@gmail.com, for the public to lodge complaints regarding the illegal use or sale of Chinese manja. This initiative seeks to further bolster the city’s efforts to maintain a safe and pollution-free environment, especially during kite flying season, when the demand for kite strings typically peaks. While the inspection campaign did not uncover any Chinese manja in the establishments checked, the presence of large quantities of plastic waste indicates that there is still much to be done to address plastic pollution in the city. The recent efforts by the TMC signal a proactive stance on environmental conservation and public safety, as they continue to combat the illegal use of harmful materials like Chinese manja.
