Telangana orders licence cancellation of synthetic manja shops ahead of kite season
Synopsis
Telangana is going beyond rhetoric on synthetic manja — the Head of Forest Force has ordered licence cancellations, inter-state supply surveillance, online platform crackdowns, and a ban at the state's own Kite Festival. With complaints already lodged against the Tourism Department's event, this is a rare instance of a government agency being held accountable under its own wildlife protection framework.
Key Takeaways
Vinay Kumar , Telangana's Head of Forest Force , ordered cancellation of licences of shops selling synthetic manja on 9 October 2026 .
Officials directed to intensify surveillance on supplies originating from Rajasthan and Gujarat .
Police instructed to establish special surveillance to stop Chinese manja sales on online platforms and e-commerce websites .
GHMC directed to issue formal instructions to shop owners and take stringent action against violators.
Synthetic manja banned at the Tourism Department's Kite Festival ; any identified manja to be confiscated immediately.
Indian rollers prohibited from being caged for display at Durga pandals ; Endowments Department tasked with enforcement at temples.
Telangana's Head of Forest Force, Vinay Kumar, on Friday, 9 October 2026, directed officials to cancel the licences of shops selling prohibited synthetic manja, stepping up the state's enforcement drive ahead of the kite-flying season. The directive was issued at a high-level review meeting held at Aranya Bhavan, Hyderabad, attended by senior officials from multiple government departments.
Key Directives Issued
Vinay Kumar instructed officials to take stringent measures to curb both the sale and use of synthetic manja, stressing the threat it poses to Indian rollers and other protected wildlife. He directed Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials to issue formal instructions to shop owners prohibiting the sale of synthetic manja and to pursue strict action against violators.
Noting that synthetic manja is being supplied from other states, particularly Rajasthan and Gujarat, the Head of Forest Force called for intensified surveillance on inter-state supply chains. He also instructed police to establish special surveillance units to intercept sales on online platforms and e-commerce websites, with coordination directed at the concerned organisations to take down such listings.
Public Awareness and Outreach Measures
To build grassroots awareness, officials were directed to put up informational posters at bus stations, railway stations, markets, and other high-footfall public spaces about the ban on synthetic manja. The School Education Department was specifically asked to run awareness programmes among students and their parents regarding the dangers that Chinese manja poses to human beings and birds.
Bus drivers and conductors were instructed to report any suspected illegal transportation of synthetic manja — or of Indian rollers and other wildlife — to the Forest Department helpline immediately. This move is aimed at cutting off supply routes that operate through public transport networks.
Kite Festival and Religious Gatherings in Focus
The meeting also took up complaints from voluntary organisations regarding the use of Chinese manja at the Kite Festival organised by the Tourism Department. Vinay Kumar directed officials to ensure that synthetic manja is not permitted under any circumstances at this year's festival, with immediate confiscation mandated for any synthetic manja identified on the grounds.
Separately, officials were told to prevent Indian rollers from being kept in cages for display at Durga pandals. The Endowments Department was specifically tasked with implementing this direction at temples across the state.
Departments Coordinating the Drive
The review meeting was attended by CCFs Priyanka Varghese and Kshitija, CF Prasad, and senior representatives from the Police, GHMC, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), School Education, Cinematography, Information and Public Relations, Electricity, Pollution Control Board, and Tourism departments, among others. Vinay Kumar underlined that all departments must work in coordination to effectively protect wildlife and enforce the ban.
With the kite-flying and festival season approaching, the state will be watching whether this multi-department enforcement push translates into action on the ground — and whether online marketplaces comply swiftly with the directives.
Point of View
Which the directive does not yet spell out. The inclusion of e-commerce platforms in the surveillance mandate is the most novel element here — and also the hardest to execute without central regulatory backing.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is synthetic manja and why is it banned in Telangana?
Synthetic manja is a type of kite-flying thread coated with synthetic or abrasive material, commonly called Chinese manja, which is prohibited under Indian wildlife and environmental laws. It poses a severe danger to birds — particularly the Indian roller, a protected species — as well as to humans, as it can cause serious injuries. Telangana enforces a ban on its sale, storage, and use.
What action did Telangana's Head of Forest Force order on 9 October 2026?
Head of Forest Force Vinay Kumar directed officials to cancel licences of shops selling synthetic manja and to take stringent enforcement action. He also ordered surveillance on inter-state supplies, online platform sales, and issued specific directives to GHMC, police, the School Education Department, and the Endowments Department.
Which states are being flagged as sources of synthetic manja supply?
Rajasthan and Gujarat have been identified as primary states from which synthetic manja is reportedly being supplied into Telangana. Officials have been instructed to intensify surveillance specifically on supply chains originating from these two states.
Will synthetic manja be banned at the Telangana Tourism Department's Kite Festival?
Yes. The Head of Forest Force directed that synthetic manja not be permitted under any circumstances at this year's Kite Festival organised by the Tourism Department, with immediate confiscation mandated for any found on the premises. The directive came after voluntary organisations lodged complaints about Chinese manja being used at the festival.
How are Indian roller birds being protected under these directives?
Officials were directed to prevent Indian rollers from being kept in cages for display at Durga pandals. The Endowments Department was specifically tasked with enforcing this at temples. The ban on synthetic manja also directly protects Indian rollers and other wildlife from injuries caused by the sharp thread.
