Raids at kite shops across Pilibhit to curb illegal Chinese majha trade

Pilibhit: Forest department teams have been deployed across Pilibhit district to raid kite shops and choke the supply of Chinese majha, a banned synthetic kite string that continues to be sold clandestinely despite posing serious risks to humans and wildlife.Officials said the razor-sharp, non-biodegradable string has caused repeated injuries and fatalities in the past. During last year's kite-flying season, several commuters suffered throat injuries after coming into contact with Chinese majha, while more than a dozen birds—including endangered Egyptian vultures, herons and pigeons—were killed after getting entangled in it.The week-long search-and-seizure drive, launched by divisional forest officer Bharat Kumar on Wednesday afternoon, coincides with the peak kite-flying period between Makar Sankranti and Basant Panchami, which will be observed on Jan 23.Deputy range officer Sher Singh, who is leading raids in the Pilibhit city area, said, "Due to widespread raids at kite shops, the shop owners might have removed the stock of Chinese majha from their shops to sell it secretly from their homes. To bust it, forest staff members will also disguise themselves as customers of Chinese majha."The manufacture, transport, storage, sale and use of Chinese majha are strictly prohibited nationwide. "Because the kite shops are not licensed, their actual number is not known, but by estimation, over 500 shops operate across the district during the kite festival days," a forest official said."A common message was circulated to the effect that any person found dealing in Chinese majha in any form will be booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, while the forest department will have full rights to confiscate the defaulter's properties as well," said DFO Bharat Kumar.He added that the general public, particularly parents and guardians, were urged to strictly avoid the use of Chinese majha and to safely collect and destroy unusable kite strings to prevent accidental injuries.