Karnataka bans metal, glass-coated kite manja to protect birds and humans

Accepting animal-lovers’ suggestions, the Karnataka government has banned the use of metal or glass-coated string or manja for flying kites to curb harm to humans, birds, and the environment, a statement said on Monday.

The government has issued an amendment to its notification under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986, now requiring



that only cotton thread, which is “free from any sharp, metallic or glass components, adhesives, or any other thread-strengthening materials”, be allowed for kite flying.

The government notification has expanded the ban that was previously restricted only to nylon “Chinese” manja to include strings coated with glass or metal powder, the statement said.