Court sets conditions for sale and use of green firecrackers to balance public sentiment and environmental concerns.
The Supreme Court has permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during the upcoming Diwali celebrations, scheduled for October 20. This decision, reported by The Hindu, comes with specific conditions aimed at mitigating environmental concerns while allowing for festive celebrations.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran has established a timeframe for the sale of these firecrackers, allowing it from October 18 to 21. Additionally, the court has mandated that the sales occur only at designated locations and has restricted the usage of firecrackers to specific times: from 6 am to 7 am and again from 8 pm to 10 pm.
In its ruling, the court instructed the Central Pollution Control Board along with state pollution boards to monitor air and water quality during the period from October 14 to October 21. They are required to submit a report assessing the impact of fireworks during this time. The bench noted that a total ban on firecrackers had previously resulted in increased smuggling of conventional firecrackers, which are known to significantly harm air quality. They emphasized the necessity of a balanced approach, stating that the illicit trade of conventional firecrackers leads to greater environmental damage.
To ensure compliance with these conditions, the court has imposed additional measures. Firecrackers can only be sold at designated points, and manufacturers will undergo regular inspections. Furthermore, the QR codes of green crackers must be uploaded to official websites for traceability. The sale of firecrackers via e-commerce platforms remains strictly prohibited, and any products from outside the NCR will not be permitted. Manufacturers who are found to be selling counterfeit or non-compliant products risk immediate suspension of their licenses.
The bench articulated that these regulatory measures aim to balance the sentiments of the public during festive occasions with the livelihood concerns of the industry, all while upholding the right to clean air. Earlier, the court had indicated its intention to revisit an April 3 ruling that imposed a ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers in the NCR for a year. In that ruling, it was stated that the so-called green crackers would not be exempt from the ban, referencing a Union government report that indicated their emissions are only 30% lower than those of conventional crackers.
Green firecrackers are considered less polluting than traditional ones due to their modified formulations, which exclude harmful elements such as lithium, arsenic, barium, and lead. On September 25, the court had allowed the manufacturing of green crackers within the NCR, although the sale and storage were still prohibited at that time. The ban on firecrackers was initially implemented to address the severe winter pollution issues faced by the national capital.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed her support for the court’s decision, stating that it respects public sentiment during festivals like Diwali while maintaining a focus on environmental protection. She also urged residents of Delhi to use green firecrackers responsibly and with restraint. As air quality in Delhi tends to worsen during colder months, largely due to factors like stubble burning and emissions from industries, these measures are expected to play a crucial role in managing pollution levels during the festive season.
