Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre.
Credit: DH Photo/ S K Dinesh
Bengaluru: In the interest of the health of senior citizens and children and in an effort to curb air and noise pollution, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre has requested citizens to give up firecrackers or use only green firecrackers for Deepavali.
“There is an inextricable bond with the festival of light and firecrackers, but these firecrackers cause severe damage to the environment. In this regard, I am requesting conscious citizens not to use chemical, heavy metal firecrackers,” he said.
Khandre said that the public should follow the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court judgments banning crackers louder than 125 decibels and emit a lot of smoke. He also urged the citizens to follow the rules and light green firecrackers only from 8 pm to 10 pm.
He stated that on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, in a meeting held with the Chief Secretary and all the district commissioners of the state, it was suggested that the shop owners should take a written undertaking saying that only green firecrackers will be stocked, transported and sold.
"Violators will be banned from selling firecrackers. The district administration should take action in this regard," he added.
"Besides the government issuing circulars, there should be a movement among the people to stop bursting crackers and to bring about awareness on the dangers of bursting crackers," he said.
“Chemical and heavy metal crackers, which emit a lot of noise and thick smoke, also cause respiratory problems. Animals and birds are also disturbed by loud firecrackers. So let's ditch the crackers and celebrate Deepavali in an eco-friendly way by lighting lamps,” the minister said.