NMMC Warns Against Harmful Threads for Makar Sankranti
In light of the upcoming Makar Sankranti festival on 14th January the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has issued an advisory urging residents to avoid using harmful kite flying threads, especially those made of nylon or coated with synthetic materials. This initiative aims to ensure that the festival is celebrated responsibly, prioritising both safety and environmental sustainability.
The NMMC’s appeal is in line with a ruling passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 11th July 2017, which prohibits the production, sale, storage, and use of hazardous materials such as glass-coated or metallic threads, commonly known as ‘Chinese manja’. The NGT ruling highlights the severe harm these materials cause, particularly their deadly impact on birds and humans. The sharp, metallic nature of these threads can result in injuries, fatalities, and environmental damage, prompting the NGT to issue stringent orders against their use. As part of this ongoing enforcement, the NMMC reminded residents that the use of cotton threads for kite flying is permissible, provided the threads are free of any sharp, metallic, or glass coatings. The local authorities also warned that anyone caught violating these regulations could face heavy penalties, including imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of ₹1 lakh, or both, as per the provisions of Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The NMMC’s strict stance on this matter is rooted in the increasing number of accidents caused by the dangerous kite flying materials, which often lead to severe injuries and, tragically, fatalities. In addition to harming humans, these threads have also posed a significant risk to wildlife, with many birds suffering severe injuries due to entanglement in the sharp threads. The NMMC has emphasized the importance of celebrating Makar Sankranti in a way that does not endanger lives or damage the environment. Residents are urged to join in this call for eco-friendly and safe kite flying, ensuring that the festivities remain joyful and responsible.
