Ahead of the Sankranti festival, a dangerous and banned product is seeing a rampant surge in online sales across India. Chinese manja, the glass-coated kite string officially prohibited nationwide, is flooding e-commerce websites and social media platforms, posing a severe threat to wildlife, humans, and the environment.
Online Platforms Become Havens for Illegal Trade
A recent investigation has revealed that sellers are brazenly advertising and selling this lethal string online. Mid-sized reels of Chinese manja are being offered for prices ranging from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000. The trade is largely operated by private individuals who provide cash-on-delivery options, delivering the banned material right to the buyer's doorstep.
To avoid detection, many sellers are disguising the product. They falsely label it as "cotton manja" and share contact numbers for inquiries. However, when contacted, a Jaipur-based seller openly admitted to selling glass-coated manja, offering pan-India delivery with a 50% advance payment. One website was found directly promoting "Chinese Manja: 4,000 metres, 600 grams for Rs 1,700," with a shipping charge of Rs 199. The listing boldly stated "726 sold" and had another similar product marked as "sold out."
Social media has also emerged as a thriving marketplace. Sellers upload videos showcasing reels of the string, claiming the stock is "new" and "100% glass-coated." Testimonials and screenshots from buyers endorsing the string's sharpness are widely shared. One Instagram page used the alarming tagline "Ek cut = Direct Game Over" to emphasize its lethality.
A Trail of Death and Injury
The consequences of this illegal trade are devastating and well-documented. Data from bird rescuers and forest officials shows that since 2019, Hyderabad alone has reported over 5,000 cases of casualties and severe injuries to birds, animals, and humans caused by Chinese manja.
Animal rescuers report that fatalities begin as early as the third week of December, coinciding with kite sales. "The numbers peak during the Sankranti festival period (Jan 13 to Jan 16), especially on Bhogi and Sankranti days during early mornings and late afternoons," said Dr. Sindhura Pothineni, who has rescued 300 birds in the past seven years.
"This year, I have already received nine injured birds, and it's not even the peak time. Three died, one was released, and five are recovering," she added. The victims include crows, pigeons, sparrows, owls, black kites, koels, mynahs, parakeets, and stray animals, suffering gruesome injuries like cuts, severed limbs, and fatal entanglements.
Official Crackdown and Environmental Warnings
Authorities are taking note of the online shift. A. Shankaran, OSD (Wildlife) of the forest department, stated, "We cannot even call it Chinese manja anymore, as it is made right in our country. We will track down these websites and seek help from the cyber security bureau to curtail online sales."
C. Suvarna, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, outlined a multi-pronged strategy. This includes writing to chief conservators in other states to strengthen inter-state coordination and plug supply routes, identifying and dismantling illegal manufacturing and transport networks, and conducting special inspections with police at shops and warehouses. Other departments like tourism and GHMC have been directed to install warning boards across the city.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjannar confirmed a citywide surveillance mechanism is in place. Special teams are conducting surprise checks at kite shops, grocery stores, and transport hubs. Anyone found selling, stocking, or transporting Chinese manja will face immediate criminal action with no leniency.
Environmentalists highlight another critical danger. Narsimha Reddy D. pointed out that the string, often made from non-biodegradable polyester, causes long-term pollution. It continues to trap birds, animals, and aquatic life long after the festivals end, contaminating water bodies and soil. He has urged the government to set up a dedicated helpline to tackle the issue more effectively.
