Bengaluru activists call for blanket ban on firecrackers ahead of Deepavali

Bengaluru: Urging the government to impose a blanket ban on all firecrackers, a group of organisations working towards protecting urban ecology have written to the Chief Minister of Karnataka and various stakeholders of the government including the Chief Secretary, Pollution Control Board and the Commissioner of Police. This comes a fortnight before Deepavali. The group, including Namma Bengaluru Foundation, Public Health Action Team (PACT), The Compassionate City, C J Memorial Trust, All Creatures Great and Small, NAZ Foundation and CARE has urged the authorities to impose strict enforcement of the 2016 Supreme Court orders.  

Calling out the violation of the 2016 ban on non-green firecrackers, members of civic groups said in the letter that “it is appalling to see the sheer number of online stores selling non-green firecrackers.” 

“The burning of non eco-friendly firecrackers releases significant pollutants into the atmosphere, including sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead, and various heavy metals. Studies have shown that these pollutants can lead to severe respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and exacerbate existing health conditions, particularly populations such as children and the elderly and people suffering from chronic pulmonary diseases,” the letter said. Shedding light on last year’s massive blaze at Attibele firecracker godown, which killed 12 people, activist Harini Raghavan from PACT said that the sale of non-ecofriendly firecrackers online is reflective of the “failure of law enforcement in its truest spirit.”

“The ruthless sale of non-green firecrackers online is concerning because it is against the law. We urge the authorities to do a blanket ban on firecrackers this year to ensure safety of citizens and the environment,” she noted. 

The civic groups call for immediate public awareness campaigns against the harmful effects of firecrackers on air quality, human and animal safety with collaborative efforts between resident welfare associations and Slum Development Authority. 

Bengaluru City police commissioner B Dayananda said that strict patrolling will be conducted to ensure the ban on non-green firecrackers. In case of finding non eco-friendly firecrackers he said it will be confiscated with immediate effect.