The Supreme Court today took a historic decision to ban the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR till the 31st of this month. The permitting sale of firecrackers would be effective from November 1. With this order it means there will be no firecrackers available for purchase this Diwali. For the last many years as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s finding the New Delhi’s air pollution hits dangerous levels during Diwali. The Diwali celebration leaves the air in Delhi thick with deadly smog which led to breathlessness and lung difficulties.
The Supreme Court’s order is indeed a Diwali gift for not only humans but for the pets who get disoriented and temporarily lose hearing sense due to incredibly loud and unexpected noises. There is need to promote green diwali celebration. The state pollution control board should take cue from apex court and make efforts to discourage people from bursting crackers during Diwali. Also there is need to introspect regarding festivals like Durga Puja, Biswakarma Puja etc. The idol immersion in rivers also causes large scale pollution. The pollution control board should look into this aspect and find out ways to reduce the river pollution. Without hurting the religious sentiments, the board will have to look for solution. In the name of festival celebration the citizens cannot be allowed to have free run and cause massive damage to the environment.