The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Monday expressed strong disapproval over the continued sale, purchase, and use of Chinese manjha, a nylon and lead-coated kite string, despite an existing ban. The court has demanded a response from the state government regarding its plan to enforce the prohibition effectively.
Government's Response and Committee Formation
During the proceedings, the government counsel informed the court that the state is in the process of drafting a law to specifically prohibit Chinese manjha. A six-member committee has already been constituted to work on this legislation. However, the court was not satisfied with the pace of action and directed the secretaries or officers above the rank of secretary from the Home and Environment Departments to appear via video conferencing at the next hearing scheduled for July 13.
Court's Observations on Ban Enforcement
The bench, comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the matter. The central government's counsel, Rajkumar Singh, informed the court that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had already banned the use of lead-coated and nylon manjha. However, the bench observed that merely imposing a ban is insufficient; it is the state government's responsibility to ensure compliance and to investigate the manufacturing and sale points of such strings.
Intervention by Kite Association
The Lucknow Kite Association filed an intervention application, alleging that police and other authorities were harassing its members under the guise of enforcing the ban on Chinese manjha. In response, the court stated that association members should cooperate with efforts to curb the banned strings, while also directing the government to ensure that no individual is subjected to harassment.
The court's stern stance underscores the seriousness of the issue, as Chinese manjha poses significant risks to birds, humans, and the environment due to its sharpness and non-biodegradable nature. The next hearing on July 13 will be crucial in determining the state's concrete steps to address this menace.
