Following an order from the Supreme Court, the Tamilnadu government Friday said people would be allowed to burst firecrackers between 6 am and 7 am and 7 pm and 8 pm during Deepavali. The State government has issued this directive only after it was left with no other option, as it tried its best in the apex court to get the restriction revoked. A government release also urged the people of TN to burst crackers with low decibel and pollution levels.
No doubt, firecrackers burst during Deepavali increase pollution levels and affect the environment. But what about the other forms of pollution that come from vehicles, factories and chopping of trees, etc., on a daily basis? After all, Deepavali falls only once a year and celebrating it with fireworks has been an integral part of our culture for centuries.
And what about the livelihood of thousands of workers and their family members who are dependent on fireworks business? Keeping in mind these things, the SC could at least have extended the time limit. However, things such as directing people to avoid bursting firecrackers near hospitals and places of worship, asking them to go for green crackers and the decision to make the Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board to study the air quality seven days before and after the festival in all the Corporation limits are fully welcome.