Panvel civic body urges residents to celebrate Diwali without firecrackers to keep air clean

The Panvel Municipal Corporation has appealed to residents not to burst firecrackers this Diwali and to celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly way. The corporation said this would help reduce rising air pollution.

The appeal has been issued under the Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan 7.0. Corporation Commissioner Mangesh Chitale has asked citizens to celebrate the festival in a pollution-free manner.

According to the corporation, firecrackers release carbon dioxide, sulphur and other toxic gases, which increase air pollution. These gases can affect plants, birds, animals and humans alike. They also add to the challenge of climate change and rising temperatures. The corporation said that, especially during festivals and celebrations, everyone should take on the responsibility of reducing pollution.

Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Swaroop Kharge, the corporation is taking steps to improve air quality and is also running awareness programmes. Under the Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan 7.0, it also holds environmental awareness activities through the year so that people adopt sustainable habits.

The corporation has asked citizens to celebrate Diwali and other festivals as Green Festivals that are free of firecrackers, garbage and pollution. It also said people should avoid using firecrackers as far as possible. For those who do want firecrackers, the corporation has suggested noise-free ones that produce light.

Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra government to consider the Supreme Court's directions that fix the time for bursting firecrackers on Diwali. The aim is to prevent serious risks to the environment and health in the city.

The High Court gave the 13-page order after taking suo motu cognisance of the removal of a Diwali video by actor Dia Mirza by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale referred in the order to the Supreme Court's directions of October 29. Those directions were issued in view of the rise in pollution in the Delhi-NCR region during the festive season.

In the order made available on Wednesday, the High Court said it would be appropriate for the state government and other authorities, including the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, the BMC and the police department, to consider these directions, especially those on the timing of bursting firecrackers.

The Supreme Court had said that green firecrackers approved for Diwali may be burst in the National Capital Region (NCR) only during two periods: 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm.