The increase in air pollution due to the bursting of crackers in the festive months spanning from October to December has been a matter of concern for all the states across India. Last year, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in the NCR region till November 30, while several states stipulated the use of green crackers, which are believed to be emit pollutants at a 30% lower rate. compared to its traditional counterparts.
What are Green Crackers?
Green crackers are low-emission firecrackers ‘green crackers’, which were allowed to be used during festivals by the Supreme Court, easing the ‘complete ban’ on fireworks imposed earlier in 2017. Their chemical formulation ensures by reducing particulate emissions into the atmosphere. produced dust. While regular firecrackers emit about 160 decibels of sound, the emission rate of green crackers is limited to 110-125 decibels. Manufacturers need to sign an agreement with CSIR to manufacture fireworks using green cracker formulation. There are three types of green crackers available in India namely SWAS, STAR and SAFAL. Notably, green crackers also use polluting chemicals such as aluminum, barium, potassium nitrate and carbon, but the amounts are reduced thereby reducing emissions by about 30 percent.
However, even though the introduction of green crackers ensures less polluted air that we breathe, many states are taking extra precautions this year because of the impact it can have on one’s health as the covid virus is still rampant. Is.
Rajasthan Rajasthan
The Rajasthan government on Friday reversed its earlier decision to ban the sale and use of firecrackers in the state, saying in a revised advisory that “only” green firecrackers would be allowed. The government also issued a restricted time for bursting crackers during the festive season. According to the revised advisory, green crackers from 8 pm to 10 pm during festivals like Diwali and Gurpurab, 6 am to 8 am on Chhath Puja and 11:55 am to 12:30 pm on Christmas and New Year can be run. However, the ban on the use of firecrackers will continue in places with an air quality index of “poor” zone or below. The Advisor further informed that the firecrackers can be verified as “Green” by scanning the QR code on the box issued by CSIR-NEERI.
Delhi
The Arvind Kejriwal government has imposed a complete ban on the storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers till January 1, 2022. Kejriwal said the decision was taken after taking stock of the pollution level in Delhi during the festival in the last three days. years. Many experts are of the opinion that mass celebrations by bursting of firecrackers may lead to gatherings of people violating social distancing norms, but high level of air pollution can also cause serious health issues in Delhi. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police was reported to have initiated crackdown on the distribution of illegal firecrackers, the sale of which has increased as Diwali is just around the corner. According to ANI news agency, police this week raided a godown in North Delhi’s Sadar Bazar area, confiscating over 470 kg of illegal fireworks, arresting the owner of the property in the process.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has spoken in favor of the use of firecrackers. In a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Stalin had requested to lift the ban and allow the sale of firecrackers as per norms. Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal.
Uttar Pradesh
The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, which banned the sale and use of firecrackers in 13 cities across the state in 2020, has not made any such announcement so far this year. The Delhi government a few weeks ago announced a complete ban on the sale and purchase of firecrackers from its neighboring states – Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh – saying it has led to a huge increase in pollution levels in the capital. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had told ANI: “To prevent vehicular pollution, we have requested the Union Environment Minister to facilitate CNG powered public transport in NCR. We have also demanded that the neighboring states also ban crackers around Diwali.
Haryana
The Haryana government had earlier this month imposed a complete ban on the sale or use of all types of firecrackers in 14 districts. Haryana State Pollution Board has directed all 14 districts to ban the sale and use of firecrackers with immediate effect. This order comes after the directions issued by the NGT and the Supreme Court on the ban on the use of firecrackers. According to the Times of India report, the ban is in view of the deteriorating air quality in the region during this time of the year, which is further aggravated by the bursting of crackers and stubble burning in the surrounding districts.
Orissa
Announcing its Covid-19 guidelines for October, the Odisha government had banned the use and sale of fireworks in the state during the month. It also banned their sale and use during Diwali last year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.” The sale and use of firecrackers will remain prohibited to protect the health of the general public and prevent the spread of the infection. during the month,” the government said in its guidelines, which will be in force from October 1 to November 1.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had said that the apex court was not against celebrations but at the cost of the lives of other citizens. The celebration does not mean the use of loud firecrackers, it can also be accompanied by “phuljhaddi” and as such there is no noise, it said. “Our earlier order should be followed by every state. Despite the fact that there is a specific ban on joint crackers, if you go to any state or city or any festival, joint crackers are freely available in the market.
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