Kite sellers are disappointed over National Green Tribunal (NGT)'s order of banning glass powder-coated thread ( manja) for flying kites.

City-based environmentalist Ashok Ghosh, who also happens to be the chairman of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority and is also a member of the State Pollution Control Board, said: "National Green Tribunal passed an interim prohibitory order yesterday, banning the use of glass-coated manja till a hearing in February 2017. NGT has taken the decision in view of a petition filed by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) calling for a nationwide ban on all forms of sharp kite-flying strings."

Ghosh hailed the decision, saying that manja posed serious threat to lives of both birds and animals. "There have been many reports of bird deaths owing to kite flying. Not only bird-related deaths but few deaths of people, including children, have been reported because of these glass-coated manja from across the country."

The Chinese manjas are more dangerous than indigenous manjas because they have more quantity of churned glass into it making it sharper than others. It's good that NGT has banned all glass-coated manjas," added Ghosh.

Rajeev Kumar of Patna City, who has been into the kite business for over 15 years, was peeved at the NGT decision. "Almost all the manjas are glass-coated. If the authorities strictly implement the ban, we won't have any option but to shut shop."

Another kite seller in Patna City, Pappu Kumar, said: "We were expecting good business during Makar Sankranti next month. But kite flying is on the decline. People usually fly kites during Makar Sankranti and other festivals. The ban would hamper our business further," said Pappu.

"Kite flying involves cutting of other people's kite and so people prefer buying glass-coated manjas. I still have stock of glass-coated manjas. What will I do with them now?" said Pappu.

The implementation of NGT's order, however, seems tough for the authorities.

Ghosh, a member of the State Pollution Control Board himself, said: "We do not have sufficient manpower to keep tabs on industries violating environmental norms. NGT issues directives every second day but we are helpless."

Residents also did not seem happy with the decision.

Rohit Ranjan (18) said: "If glass-coated manjas are not available, the fun part will be missing from the festival."