Wondering why Delhi Police has recently posted a viral safety warning borrowing the trending online phrase: ‘Dear Kuchu Puchu, Patang Udao but Say NO to Chinese Manjha, Samjhe’? Behind the humour lies the serious message to raise awareness on the hazard that is Chinese manjha. Amid the renewed enthusiasm for kite-flying, ahead of Independence Day, authorities are highlighting the ban on use of the synthetic thread for kite flying. In the recent incident from West Delhi, 1,398 illegal reels were seized by the Crime Branch alongside three men in a car.
What is Chinese Manjha & why is it banned?
Despite its name, Chinese manjha is often locally made using synthetic nylon, plastic, or monofilament polymers coated with glass or metallic powder. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Delhi Government banned its manufacture, sale, storage, and use under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, allowing only traditional cotton thread.
What is this manjha dangerous?
Unbreakable under tension, this sharp string acts like an invisible wire across roads, posing fatal throat and face injury risks to commuters, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. It entangles thousands of birds yearly, leading to amputations or death. Its metallic coating also conducts electricity—risking electrocution near power lines—while non-biodegradable plastic clutters the environment for years.
Not just humans, this majha is dangerous for wildlife as well.Birder Nikhil Devasar from delhibird says, “Every year, during the kite flying season, our skies become shared spaces for people and wildlife. For birds, the danger is that these fine threads can be almost impossible to detect when they are flying at speed. A collision with manja can leave a bird entangled or cause deep cuts to its wings, body or neck, and these injuries can be fatal. Kite flying is a wonderful tradition, but our celebrations should not come at the cost of wildlife. We can keep the tradition alive while making a simple, responsible choice — using safe, untreated cotton thread and leaving our skies safer for the birds that share them with us”
{{/usCountry}}Not just humans, this majha is dangerous for wildlife as well.Birder Nikhil Devasar from delhibird says, “Every year, during the kite flying season, our skies become shared spaces for people and wildlife. For birds, the danger is that these fine threads can be almost impossible to detect when they are flying at speed. A collision with manja can leave a bird entangled or cause deep cuts to its wings, body or neck, and these injuries can be fatal. Kite flying is a wonderful tradition, but our celebrations should not come at the cost of wildlife. We can keep the tradition alive while making a simple, responsible choice — using safe, untreated cotton thread and leaving our skies safer for the birds that share them with us”
{{/usCountry}}How/where to report?
If you spot sale or usage of illegal manjha, call 112. You could also notify your local police station or report it via Delhi Police’s social media handle (@DelhiPolice).