In a crackdown against Chinese kite threads, Gujarat government on Friday informed the high court that it has received 68 complaints pertaining to the sale and use of Chinese threads on its dedicated helpline since January 9.

The state government also submitted that the cybercrime department of Gujarat Police has been directed to take appropriate action against the sale and purchase of such prohibited goods through online marketplaces such as Amazon.

The high court is hearing a petition seeking effective implementation of the 2016 notice of the state’s forest department and in compliance with orders of the court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning the use of Chinese kite threads and Chinese lanterns.

Gujarat government also submitted an affidavit on Friday recording compliance with the court’s earlier directions on January 7 pertaining to spreading greater awareness on the ill-effects of usage of nylon and Chinese threads and Chinese lanterns by disseminating information in print, electronic and social media, carrying out audio announcements, issuing public appeals, establishing a dedicated helpline and creating awareness programmes in schools and colleges.

The deaths of at least six people have been recorded in the state so far due to kite strings. This mostly includes two-wheeler riders who get caught in the dangling and almost invisible loose glass strings while riding the vehicle. The razor-sharp strings, in all forms, puts humans, birds, other animals and the environment at risk, especially if reinforced with glass powder and metal.

In its release on Thursday, PETA India Advocacy Officer Farhat Ul Ain, said, “We commend the life-saving action taken by Gujarat police to seize illegal manjha… This enforcement will go a long way towards protecting the lives of humans as well as birds, including endangered vultures, which are lacerated by the sharp string,” says. “Most people would choose to use only plain cotton kite strings if they knew that doing so would spare fellow humans and other animals’ serious injuries and even death.”

Image source: Indian Express