Chinese manja used by kite enthusiasts proves fatal to birds

BENGALURU: The synthetic thread, most commonly known as Chinese manja which is used by kite enthusiasts during the celebration of the festival, are posing a danger to the birds.

Even though the government has banned the used of Chinese manja and other synthetic (non-biodegradable) threads which are coated with glass and metal, it is being rampantly sold in the market. As per BBMP, everyday the deaths of three to five bird deaths are reported. Its forest cell receives at least 45 distress calls regarding the rescuing of birds, out of which 80% are because of the Chinese manja. Sources have said that the public forget awareness, even enforcement officials don’t seem to know the hazards that is being posed by the manja. Birds’ wings get stuck in it and while trying to escape, they are often killed.

The volunteers of the BBMP wildlife cell have said that they attend to seven-eight calls daily; eagles, pigeons and a few migratory birds are the common victims.

Kiran Kumar DS, a bird rescuer, said that, “The demand for Chinese manja has grown in the last five years. It costs less than other threads and is lightweight. While cotton manja, which was earlier used to fly kites, is made of finely powdered glass, Chinese manja uses metallic powder like iron or other metal dust besides glass powder for coating, making it more fatal.”

TS Anand Nair, the manager of Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, said, “We receive birds with injured wings and muscles and it takes at least two months to treat them. Asian koel, barn owl, house crow and large-billed crow are the major victims.”