Is Firecrackers Bursting on Diwali the Biggest Source of Pollution in Delhi?

It’s time for Diwali, the biggest festival of lights that will soon illuminate the cities and towns across India. People will worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha with deep reverence after days of preparations for this annual festival.

Most of the people burst crackers as part of merriment on this occasion after Puja.

A section of the people, however, contends that since fireworks create heavy pollution, they should be totally banned. But there are others who believe Diwali celebrations are incomplete without bursting of crackers as a family ritual.

Sputnik India talked to people from different spheres of life to explore if the real culprit behind the worsening annual environmental problem of Delhi region is the bursting of crackers on Diwali evening or misplaced or incomplete observation.

Short-lived Diwali Celebrations vs Delhi's Pollution

According to well-known environmentalist Vimlendu Jha, bursting of crackers that only happen for one or two days, cannot be attributed to be the main source of pollution or the only source of pollution.

He, however, feels if the WHO reports in the past suggested that pollution rises 20 times on Diwali night alone, there's need to really suspend all kinds of human activities contributing to Delhi’s ambient air. "And, from that point of view I think it’s very important that firecrackers should actually be restrained.”

Stating that there are many sources of pollution - the perennial sources of pollution - that cause the environmental crisis, Vimlendu highlights "people only get to see the pollution in the months of October-November because of weather condition".

But, he says, "that does not mean that the pollution is not there in the rest of the time. In fact the pollution continues throughout".

The environmentalist states that the main source of pollution, almost 30% of air quality deterioration, can be attributed to the vehicles - private as well as public ones.

Besides almost 30 to 35% of the contribution to this pollution is from construction and demolition dust, as well as the roadside dust, he says.

Children light firecrackers to celebrate Diwali

"So between dust and vehicles and then there is biomass burning, there’s open burning of garbage... And, then there are other human activities be it the gen-sets or other industrial pollution or thermal power plants that are there in the periphery of Delhi. Together these are the main sources of pollution."

He says the air pollution that one is witnessing now due to stubble burning in the northern states -- mostly in Punjab and in Haryana -- that also contributes on a daily basis of around 10 to 30%. This ranges from 10% to 30% on any given day.

Hindu Group VHP Objects To Religious Celebration Being Singled Out

According to Dr Surendra Jain, Joint General Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, India's biggest Hindu group, the bursting of crackers is a symbol of celebrating Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya town after 14-year exile and his triumph over demon King Ravana.

"So, why do some people wish to belittle that moment of enjoyment?" he asks, while reminding about the crackers bursting on Easter and other occasions.

He underlines that the fireworks are also witnessed on the New Year-eve throughout the night across the world.

"Does anyone (environment conscious people) talk about that celebration when crackers illuminate the sky across the world?" the VHP Joint General Secretary points out.

A devotee performs rituals with a lamp

He says this persistent questioning about Hindu practices equals showing cruelty toward the Hindus that may harm humanity as well. "Everyone is aware nature conservation is possible only by treading the path of Hinduism."

"If any initiative is undertaken by motivating society at large, nobody opposes it. But if it's imposed, it hurts sentiments and crushes the existing belief," he states in reply to a question if eco-friendly crackers are an acceptable solution to environmental concerns.

"Any attempt to suppress Hindu religious sentiment should be avoided," the VHP representative adds.

Pollution Problem Too Big to be Blamed on Diwali Crackers

NGO head and environment activist Sumaira Abdulali contends there are many reasons, not any single cause that is leading to the pollution problem.

"So you can’t say it’s only because of fireworks only or because of paddy burning only or because of anything. It’s a cumulative effect of all," she stated on being asked if firecrackers were causing the biggest air pollution.

A child plays with firecrackers during Diwali celebrations

She feels fireworks is one of the very acute causes.

"The fireworks is something we do for enjoyment. That’s the ironic part. [About] Paddy burning and all the other sources of pollution, the argument is that this has to be done because it’s part of the way people live – it’s to be done either for their crop cycle or for the construction or for something."

"It’s very ironic that the same thing which we think is going to help us celebrate, and we feel happy, is actually making us so sick because it’s contributing to air pollution. But, of course, firecrackers is not the only cause,” remarks the NGO Awaz Foundation's founder.

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