India court allows ‘green’ firecrackers

NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court yesterday allowed the use of “safe and green” firecrackers during Deepavali festivities next month, but it was unclear how the rules will be enforced at a time when millions of fireworks add to the nation’s toxic pollution.

Each year, smoke from firecrackers covers New Delhi and its satellite cities in a haze that can linger for days as wind speeds drop in the cooler weather, adding to pollution caused by the burning of crop residue, vehicle exhausts and industrial gases.

Activists in India had petitioned the top court for a blanket ban on fireworks as pollution levels rise in the capital ahead of Deepavali.

But authorities have been reluctant to enforce an outright ban to avoid offending millions of Hindus across the country, for whom Deepavali is one of the biggest festivals.

A two-judge bench said firecrackers would be permitted during Deepavali, Christmas and New Year, with conditions.

Only “safe and green firecrackers” would be allowed, and for a maximum two hours a day. Online sales are banned.

Vimlendu Jha said there was no such thing as an environmentally safe firework.

“Your one decision to allow sale and use of firecrackers in current times, while half of our country turns into a gas chamber, will kill toddlers, children and elderly,” the environmentalist tweeted. – Reuters