Open House: Will the two-hour window for bursting 'green' firecrackers curb air pollution?

Plan mass celebrations with green crackers

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Diwali is celebrated every year with enthusiasm and joy across the country. It’s the festival to spread happiness, but wasteful expenditure on firecrackers and resulting pollution is something that can easily be avoided. Bursting of firecrackers on Diwali night aggravates air pollution. A day after the festival, the environment gets hazy and the air quality index (AQI) worsens due to smoke and noise pollution. The climate is vitiated by toxic gases and chemicals, which lead to several health problems, especially related to skin and respiration system. The restrictions are announced every year, but not adhered to. To make the fresh announcements work, the government should organise community celebrations by holding laser shows and arrange common display of green fireworks. Cracker sellers as well as the manufacturers should be forewarned of shutdown, while violators be dealt with carrot and stick policy. Obviously, it is the responsibility of each one of us to protect environment for one and fellow citizens’ good health. Here the NGOs and other organisations can play an effective role to sensitise the public about the ill-effects of bursting crackers. Certainly, the need is to have a total check on harmful crackers lest the ban without enforcement will merely be a farce!

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

People have to act responsibly

Even though the government has restricted the bursting of crackers to mere two hours on the eve of Diwali and Gurupurb and restricted the e-commerce sites from selling or delivering crackers, the outcome depends on how effectively the decisions are implemented. In my opinion, these initiatives can be successful in curbing air pollution and keeping a check on accidents resulting from firecrackers. However the challenge is that firecrackers are always available in the market in large numbers and the people rarely adhere to the time period for bursting these. In the past few years, despite certain restrictions, the quality of air has only deteriorated after Diwali, wreaking havoc on the health of all those who suffer from bronchitis-related diseases. The success of the government’s decision largely depends on the masses, who have to act responsibly and burst crackers within the given time period. If these directions are strictly followed and the authorities too are serious in getting these implemented on the ground, there is no reason why we can’t witness a clear sky and breathe clean air the days following the festivals.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Authorities must ensure strict implementation

Barring lights they produce, firecrackers have nothing substantial to add to festivities. They not only cause air and noise pollution. The state government has rightly allowed only two-hour window for burning green crackers on Diwali and Gurpurb. However, the big question is: “Will the people and public at large comply with the order?” Going by the past experience, there will hardly be any impact. If the restriction has to work then violators have to be strictly dealt with. Though over the years, people have been made aware of dangers of bursting firecrackers, still many young people don’t pay any heed to such advisories. Senior citizens and patients are the most affected by air and noise pollution. Many times firecrackers also cause fire and result in loss of crores of rupees. Therefore, the government and the administration should ensure that this year the orders are implemented strictly.

Dr JS Wadhwa

Moves will help keep environment clean

The state government’s announcement of two-hour window for bursting eco-friendly firecrackers on Diwali and Gurupurab is a great move to reduce air pollution. Besides, the ban on sale and delivery of firecrackers by e-commerce sites will further help keep environment clean. These moves will also bring down the accidents caused by fireworks.

No Diwali goes by without accidents and fire incidents being reported.

Dhruv Gupta

Do not burn any kind of firecrackers

The state government’s decision to give a two-hour window for bursting green crackers is a good initiative, but it must be imposed with strictness. The use of green crackers instead of traditional ones will help cut the air pollution as green crackers do not comprise of barium nitrate, which is one of the most hazardous elements present in any regular cracker. The limited time to burst crackers will also reduce fire incidents. The prohibition on e-commerce retailers to sell and deliver crackers will complement the restrictions on crackers. It will help in hampering the movement of highly inflammable material which can cause potential accidents in the public places. However, the production of green crackers, too, isn’t a solution to our environment related problems. If the air pollution has to be completely wiped out, all kinds of firecrackers shouldn’t be burnt.

Khushkaran Singh

Ban sale, bursting of crackers completely

The two-hour window for bursting ‘green’ crackers is a welcome move. However, going by the past experience, it’s unlikely there will be any reduction in air pollution. Besides, the burning of stubble is only going to worsen the air quality index. Under such circumstances, there should be complete ban on storage, sale, purchase and bursting of firecrackers of any type in the state. Administrative measures are not sufficient; the government needs to strategise the programme of creating public awareness against the menace. Educational, religious and relative social organisations should be effectively roped in to create a movement against the use of firecrackers and other factors leading to air pollution.

Jagdish Chander

Responsibility of all to check air pollution

The state government must ensure that guidelines issued are not only on papers, but implemented forcefully on the ground, as in all likelihood people will circumvent these and create further air pollution. There is a dire need for both the authorities concerned and the people at large to act responsibly in tandem to keep environment clean. Officials must crack a whip on the miscreants, who might be local vendors selling illegal crackers or citizens bursting crackers recklessly. Unless a precedent of stringent action and punishment is set, all kinds of guidelines and restriction will continue to be flouted with impunity. Not only authorities must make a firm resolve to do their duty with honesty, but also people need to act as responsible citizens of this country. Keeping environment clean is a collective responsibility, not only of an individual or establishment.

Anshika Kohli

Let’s hope it’s not an exercise in futility

Together with industrial, vehicular and construction pollution, and seasonal stubble burning, the bursting of firecrackers on Diwali worsens the air quality index (AQI) in the Delhi-NCR region and its neighbouring states every year. The Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal’s earlier blanket ban on the sale and use of firecrackers ahead of Diwali failed to achieve the desired results. Both the public and the state government are equally at fault for the worsening situation every year. The people generally don’t care two hoots about the official directions. This year, the state government has done well to allow just a two-hour window for bursting ‘green’ crackers on Diwali and Gurpurb and prohibit e-commerce sites from selling and delivering crackers in the state. These moves will be successful in checking air pollution, provided the government implements its orders in letter and spirit. Otherwise, it will prove to be another exercise in futility. Whenever a mockery of law is made, it reflects poorly on us, the citizens, and the government. It is time not for laxity and nonchalance, but for introspection and self-analysis. Violators should be given exemplary punishment in a time-bound manner. Likewise, officials concerned should be held responsible for dereliction of duty. What is actually needed is a collective, collaborative action by the authorities as well as the public at large.

DS Kang

Celebrate with sweets, not firecrackers

Come winter, the NCR region and its surrounding areas are enveloped in toxic smog, primarily due to stubble burning, industrial waste and burgeoning vehicular traffic. This deteriorating environmental condition is further compounded by the festive season. The rising pollution level is detrimental to human health, ecology and economy. The government, NGOs and civil society organisations have been continuously campaigning against the issue. Every year, ahead of these festivals, the local administration makes tall claims about its preparedness to check the menace but without much success. All appeals and warnings fall on deaf ears. People should behave responsibly and realise that the festivals are sacred occasions to spend quality time with family and friends, exchange sweets and light earthen lamps and candles. The Punjab government has permitted a 2-hour window for bursting ‘green’ crackers and e-commerce sites have been banned to sell or deliver crackers in the state. It is imperative to have appropriate implementation and a strong compliance mechanism to address the problem. Moreover, the authorities should focus on sensitising people to embrace green Diwali. Let us all earnestly contribute towards making our environment neat, clean and safe for future generations.

Tajpreet S Kang

Change in mindset need of the hour

The government’s initiatives are a good step towards reducing pollution. It’s unfortunate that all festivals have been reduced to bursting of crackers only, with no focus on the message that these auspicious occasions try to send out. We all need to change our mindset and start celebrating festivals without creating any sort of pollution. Exchanging sweets and extending wishes are the best way to celebrate the important days.

Harvinder Singh Chugh

QUESTION

The state government has decided to restore the old pension scheme for its employees. How do you view the decision in the context of the state’s poor financial condition?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to jalandhardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (October 27)