Synthetic manja sellers in Hyderabad could face cancellation of their shop licences as the Forest Department steps up action against the prohibited kite string, citing risks to Indian rollers, other wildlife and human beings. Head of Forest Force Vinay Kumar directed officials to coordinate enforcement across municipal, police, education, transport, tourism and endowments departments.
The instructions were issued at a review meeting with senior officials from various government departments at Aranya Bhavan on Friday. Kumar asked officials to take stringent measures to curb the sale and use of synthetic manja and directed authorities to initiate action for cancelling the licences of shops found selling it.
The enforcement plan includes tighter surveillance of supplies entering Hyderabad from other states, particularly Rajasthan and Gujarat, according to the report. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation officials were instructed to issue directions to shop owners not to sell synthetic manja and to take action against those violating the rules.
Police officials were also asked to monitor e-commerce platforms for the online sale of Chinese manja. The Forest Department is expected to work with the concerned organisations to identify such listings and prevent their sale. The directions extend the enforcement challenge beyond physical markets to online channels, where products can be supplied directly to consumers.
Kumar instructed officials to install awareness posters at public locations, including bus stations, railway stations, markets and other crowded areas. The School Education Department was asked to create awareness among students and parents about the dangers posed by Chinese manja to people and birds.
The meeting also addressed the movement of prohibited material and wildlife. Bus drivers and conductors were advised to inform the Forest Department helpline if they notice the illegal transportation of synthetic manja or the transportation of Indian rollers and other wildlife on buses. Indian rollers, known as Palapitta, are among the birds the department is seeking to protect.
The directions follow complaints from voluntary organisations about the use of Chinese manja at a kite festival organised by the Tourism department. Kumar instructed officials to ensure that synthetic manja is not permitted at this year’s festival and that any such material found there is confiscated immediately.
The Forest Department also directed the Endowments department to prevent Indian rollers from being kept in cages for display at Durga pandals and asked officials to ensure that the directions are implemented at temples. The measures place responsibility on multiple departments to enforce restrictions, monitor sales and transportation, and conduct public awareness activities before the festival-related events.
