As the Deepavali festival approaches, the Kodagu district administration has issued a clear directive: only eco-friendly “green firecrackers” are permitted for sale and use. This decision emphasizes the importance of safeguarding public health and property, aligning with the stringent standards set forth in the Environment (Protection) Rules 1986, which were further refined in 1999 and 2000 to combat noise and pollution.
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkata Raja confirmed in a recent statement that the Supreme Court’s mandate allows solely for green firecrackers. He stressed, “The sale or use of any other type of firecracker is absolutely forbidden.” Retailers intending to sell firecrackers must secure all necessary permits for both sale and storage from the relevant authorities.
In strict adherence to directives from both the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, only green firecrackers bearing a distinctive green logo and QR code are authorized for purchase and use.
Furthermore, the statement explicitly bans the storage, sale, and use of any firecrackers that produce sound levels exceeding 125 decibels. The Supreme Court has also stipulated a narrow two-hour window for bursting firecrackers: between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. only.
Crucially, firecrackers or explosives that generate noise are entirely prohibited within designated “silence zones” at all times. These critical areas include hospitals, schools, places of worship, and homes for the elderly.
“Any breach of these regulations will lead to severe legal consequences for the perpetrators,” warned Mr. Raja, urging the community to collaborate with the district administration in ensuring a quieter and cleaner Deepavali celebration.
Embracing a Green Deepavali: The ‘Go Green’ Initiative
In a parallel effort, an impactful district-level awareness program, ‘Go Green Campaign – Towards a Greener Tomorrow,’ was recently held at Madikeri Government First Grade College on Saturday. This initiative aimed at promoting an eco-friendly Deepavali.
Organized collaboratively by the Kodagu district administration, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Regional Office in Kodagu, and the Education Department, the program saw students enthusiastically pledge to refrain from bursting firecrackers.
K.T. Baby Mathew, Chief Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides for Kodagu district, expressed appreciation for the noticeable decrease in firecracker usage over the past 15 years, attributing this positive shift to the consistent efforts of students and various communities in advocating for environmentally conscious Deepavali celebrations.
Adding to the discussion, T.G. Premkumar, Public Relations Officer of Scouts and Guides, Kodagu district, meticulously detailed the harmful impacts of conventional firecrackers. He explained how they contribute significantly to sound, air, water, and soil pollution, posing serious threats to humans, animals, birds, and the broader ecosystem.