The chief conservator of forest (CCF) of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has proposed a ban on Chinese manja (nylon string used for fighter kites) which kills at least five birds and disables 20 in a year. The proposal is now placed before the principal chief conservator of forest for his approval.

BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah, who has given a nod to the proposal,  has asked the CCF to take a firm decision regarding the ban. Since the ban cannot be imposed under the Karnataka Municipal Act, the CCF has forwarded a letter to the principal chief conservator of wildlife in this regard for his approval. Siddaiah said, “I have asked the chief conservator of forest to take up the matter with the Forest Department.” Chief conservator of forest Brijesh Kumar said, “Chinese manja could prove fatal for humans too, and we want it to be banned,”

BBMP Wildlife warden Sharat Babu, who receives at least four calls to rescue birds every day, said, “The wildlife team had sought the help of Fire and Emergencies Services Department and BESCOM to rescue birds. But so far none has come forward to think over the ban.”

Babu expressed concern over the safety of birds as children fly kites during summer vacations. The strings which dangle from trees and buildings could claim lives of birds and pose a threat to rescue operators’ lives.  “The Forest and Environment Department in Gujarat banned Chinese manja after it analysed the threat it posed to the birds. Ban on Chinese manja and any kind of plastic threads to fly kites has been imposed there and we want a similar move even in the city,” Babu said.