Kite flying is a cherished moment, celebrated for its ability to bring communities together, fill the skies with color, and spread joy. However, as we celebrate this vibrant activity, it is crucial to ensure our enjoyment does not come at the expense of animals, and human lives. One key step toward this responsibility is choosing safe and eco-friendly materials, such as cotton thread, for kite flying and avoiding hazardous materials like nylon and manja thread.
Dive deep into understanding the various dimensions of kite flying, starting from the manufacturing process of kite threads to their impact on society, animals and the environment. This exploration encompasses:
Threads Manufacturing
Here’s a brief overview of how manja thread, nylon thread, and cotton thread are typically made:
1. Manja Thread (Glass-Coated Thread)
Materials Used:
- Base thread: Often cotton or polyester thread.
- Coating: A mixture of finely crushed glass, adhesive (such as starch or glue), and sometimes metallic powder or dyes.
Process:
- Base Thread Preparation: The cotton or polyester thread is procured in rolls.
- Glass Coating:
- Glass pieces are finely ground into a powder.
- This powder is mixed with adhesive to form a sticky coating.
- The thread is passed through this mixture.
- Drying: The coated thread is stretched out and left to dry, allowing the adhesive to set and harden the glass particles onto the thread.
- Spooling: Once dried, the thread is wound onto spools or reels for use.
Hazards:
- The sharp glass particles make this thread dangerous for birds, animals, and humans.
- It is non-biodegradable if a polyester base is used.
2. Nylon Thread
Materials Used:
- Nylon polymer (synthetic).
Process:
- Polymerization: Nylon is made by melting or chemically reacting raw materials like adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine to form a long-chain polymer.
- Extrusion:
- The molten nylon is forced through spinnerets (small holes) to create fine threads.
- Stretching: The thread is stretched to align the polymer chains, improving strength and elasticity.
- Finishing: The thread is treated with oils or waxes to reduce friction.
- Winding: Finally, the thread is wound onto spools for distribution.
Properties:
- Strong, durable, and non-biodegradable.
- Its sharpness and tensile strength make it hazardous for kite flying.
3. Cotton Thread
Materials Used:
- Natural cotton fibers from the cotton plant.
Process:
- Harvesting: Cotton bolls are harvested and separated from seeds.
- Carding and Combing: The fibers are cleaned, straightened, and aligned.
- Spinning:
- The fibers are twisted together to form a continuous thread.
- The twisting process determines the thread’s thickness and strength.
- Plying: Several threads may be twisted together to make the final cotton thread stronger.
- Dyeing (Optional): The thread is dyed if needed and then dried.
- Winding: The finished thread is wound onto reels or spools.
Properties:
- Soft, biodegradable, and eco-friendly.
- Safe for birds, animals, and humans.
Benefits of Using Cotton Thread
- Eco-Friendly: Cotton thread is biodegradable and does not contribute to environmental pollution, unlike nylon threads, which persist in the environment for years.
- Safe for Birds and Animals: Cotton threads reduce the risk of severe injuries to birds and animals. They are less likely to entangle or cause deep cuts, ensuring a safer environment for wildlife.
- Human Safety: Cotton threads are less likely to cause accidents among pedestrians, motorcyclists, or kite enthusiasts. They pose minimal risk of deep cuts or life-threatening injuries.
- Promotes Responsible Celebrations: Using cotton thread sends a message of care and responsibility, inspiring others to adopt safer practices.
Disadvantages of Nylon and Manja Threads
- Non-Biodegradable: Nylon threads are not eco-friendly and contribute to environmental degradation, polluting water bodies and landfills.
- Extremely Hazardous: Manja threads, coated with glass or other abrasive materials, are sharp and capable of causing severe injuries to humans, birds, and animals.
- Risk of Fatal Accidents: Motorcyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable, with several cases of deep cuts and fatal incidents reported due to manja threads.
- Wildlife Endangerment: Birds often get entangled in sharp threads, leading to wing injuries, amputations, or even death. These threads can also trap small animals, posing serious threats to their well-being.
Damage To Animals, Humans, Environment
- Animal Injuries: During kite flying, animals are found injured or dead due to sharp threads. Wildlife rescue organisations often report hundreds of cases at regular intervals.
- Human Fatalities: In recent years, there have been multiple reports of motorcyclists and pedestrians suffering fatal injuries caused by manja threads stretched across roads.
- Environmental Damage: Nylon threads are often found littering public spaces, water bodies, and forests, harming ecosystems and creating a lasting environmental impact.
Indian Law on Manja and Nylon Threads
The Indian government has recognized the dangers posed by manja and nylon threads and has taken steps to regulate their use:
- Prohibition of Nylon Threads: Many states in India have banned nylon threads under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, due to their non-biodegradable nature and associated hazards.
- Ban on Glass-Coated Manja: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a ban on glass-coated manja in 2017, emphasizing its harmful impact on wildlife, humans, and the environment.
- Penalties and Enforcement: Violators of these laws face penalties, including fines and imprisonment, as authorities aim to enforce these regulations strictly.
Welfare of Animals, Birds, and Humans
- Bird and Animal Welfare:
- Avoiding harmful threads ensures the safety of animals like bird, protecting them from life-altering injuries.
- Wildlife rescue organizations can focus on preventive measures rather than attending to numerous injuries caused by manja threads.
- Human Welfare:
- Safer alternatives reduce accidents and fatalities among motorcyclists, pedestrians, and kite flyers themselves.
- Encourages communities to engage in celebrations without fear of harm or legal consequences.
- Environmental Welfare:
- Eco-friendly practices protect ecosystems, reduce waste, and minimize pollution, promoting a healthier environment for all living beings.
Role Of Government
Government officials play a crucial role in preventing the use of hazardous manja and nylon threads in kite flying. Here’s what they can do:
1. Enforce Strict Regulations
- Implement Bans: Ensure stringent enforcement of existing bans on nylon and glass-coated manja threads under environmental and safety laws.
- Monitor Sales: Conduct regular inspections at stores, markets, and online platforms to prevent the sale of prohibited threads.
- Penalties: Impose fines and legal actions against individuals or businesses found selling or using banned threads.
2. Public Awareness Campaigns
- Educational Drives: Launch campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of manja threads to birds, animals, and humans.
- Community Outreach: Organize workshops and events promoting the use of eco-friendly cotton threads.
- Media Engagement: Use social media, television, and print media to spread awareness about safe kite-flying practices.
3. Collaboration with Stakeholders
- Partner with NGOs: Work with animal welfare organizations and environmental groups to amplify the message and organize rescue efforts for injured wildlife.
- Involve Schools: Introduce educational programs in schools to instill the importance of eco-friendly kite flying from a young age.
4. Provide Alternatives
- Promote Cotton Threads: Facilitate the availability of safe, eco-friendly kite threads at subsidized rates.
- Encourage Innovation: Support research and development of safer alternatives to nylon and manja threads.
5. Rescue and Rehabilitation Support
- Set Up Helplines: Establish helplines for reporting bird and animal injuries during kite events.
- Equip Rescue Teams: Provide resources to wildlife rescue teams for swift action in saving injured animals and birds.
6. Create Designated Kite Flying Zones
- Controlled Areas: Designate specific zones for kite flying to minimize risks to wildlife and human safety.
- Safety Protocols: Ensure these zones follow safety protocols, including the mandatory use of eco-friendly threads.
7. Monitor and Evaluate
- Data Collection: Track incidents related to manja thread usage to measure the effectiveness of policies.
- Policy Updates: Revise and strengthen regulations based on findings and emerging challenges.
By adopting these measures, government officials can significantly reduce the harmful impact of nylon and manja threads, ensuring safer and more responsible kite-flying events.
Report And Save
If you encounter someone selling nylon, manja threads in the market or find animals injured due to such threads, you can take the following steps to inform the appropriate authorities and organizations:
1. Inform Local Authorities
- Police Department:
- File a complaint at the nearest police station. Selling and using manja threads is banned in many states in India under environmental and public safety laws.
- You can also call the police helpline at 112 or the local station’s number to report the activity.
- Municipal Corporation:
- Inform your city’s municipal authorities, as they are responsible for enforcing local laws and protecting public safety.
- State Wildlife Department:
- Notify your state’s wildlife department or forest officials (State-specific numbers (check online or call the local district office)about the sale of banned manja threads, as these often harm wildlife.
2. Report to Regulatory Agencies
- National Green Tribunal (NGT):
- The NGT has banned the use of glass-coated manja in India. File an online grievance through their official website if needed.
- Environment Ministry:
- Report incidents to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) through their helpline or portal.
3. Contact Animal Welfare Organizations
- Local NGOs or Animal Rescue Groups:
- Inform animal rescue organizations in your area. They can help treat injured animals and spread awareness about the dangers of manja threads.
- Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI):
- File a complaint with AWBI about injured animals or illegal manja sales. Visit their website for contact details.
5. Awareness and Social Media Reporting
- Post about the issue on social media platforms and tag local authorities, police departments, and NGOs to amplify the concern.
- Share pictures or videos (if safe to capture) of injured animals or the illegal sale of manja to create urgency.
Key Contacts in India
- Police Helpline: 112
- Forest Department Helpline: State-specific numbers (check online or call the local district office).
By reporting, you can help enforce the law, stop illegal sales, and save lives.
Conclusion
Kite flying is an expression of joy, freedom, and creativity. By choosing safe, animal friendly and eco-friendly materials like cotton threads, we can ensure this cherished activity remains a source of happiness without causing harm to animals, humans and the environment. Let’s commit to responsible celebrations that protect our environment, safeguard lives, and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can make every flight an act of compassion, respect, and harmony for all living beings.
Note: This article is intended for educational purposes only and has been prepared with the assistance of other tools and research and with our experience. If you identify any of your data within the article, please notify us by clicking here, and we will address the matter promptly. We also encourage readers to verify the information before making any decisions. AWBP Trust does not assume responsibility for the content.