The loud noise of bursting fire-crackers at Diwali and other festivals, on auspicious occasions like weddings, during religious and other processions, or even when India wins a cricket match, causes fear and panic in domestic animals, particularly dogs, cats and birds. Their ears and minds are highly sensitive to the bursting of fire-crackers as well as to loud music and gunshots. As per the Environment (Protection) Act, fire-crackers generating noise levels exceeding 125 dB (decibel) impulse noise or 145 dB peak noise, are prohibited. Moreover, the Government of India’s Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules have capped noise levels in residential areas at 55 dB during the day, and 45 dB after dark. Unfortunately, the 10 pm night time deadline to 6 am set by the Police to burst crackers, and not on roads, is violated. (Under the Explosives Act, the Police are the regulatory and licensing authority for fire-crackers.)

In view of the Maharashtra State’s GR order stating that the decibel level should be brought down to 33 dB, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation got an Italian company to conduct noise mapping, following which sound barriers made of steel, plastic and mixed alloys that either absorb noise or deflect it, will be installed in 5 noise-sensitive spots of Mumbai.

For Diwali 2015 some manufacturers brought out crackers which curbed the noise. However, noise pollution is not the only form of pollution that affects the environment and lives. Bursting crackers can also leave one gasping for breath due to air pollution. Particles smaller than 2.5 microns are the most dangerous since they penetrate the lungs and can also enter the blood stream. It can also cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat, coughing, phlegm and chest tightness in healthy persons and is far worse for those who are prone to allergies.

Data collected as part of an ongoing study by the Scientific Committee, Maharashtra Ophthalmological Society on fire-cracker related injuries during Diwali 2022 by 3,000 eye surgeons and hospitals in the state, revealed that 512 fire-cracker injuries were recorded, of which 321 were below 18 years and 69 had lost their vision.

Dogs

Every year hundreds of dogs are injured on the spot of such activity, or lost never ever to be found. An animal or bird need not be absolutely nearby to suffer – deafening loud sudden sounds cause panic in almost every creature in the vicinity.

Dogs hear seven times sharper than humans and certain sound frequencies register forty times louder. In fact, all animals, birds and rodents have much sharper senses than humans.

Dogs tremble in fright and not understanding what is happening, run helter-skelter on the streets losing their sense of direction and even balance. They run further and further away from even those who stop to help them. Their behaviour is panic stricken to the extreme and it is impossible to calm them down, leave alone make them eat or drink any thing. They are in search of a safe place and just when they think they may have found one, another cracker goes off… more fright, more panic and snappy behaviour on the streets follows with them trying to avoid vehicles and people. This results in people getting scared and branding the dogs as rabid… many such lost dogs have met with fatal accidents, or have been beaten and stoned to death by ignorant people. And, last but not least, it’s a nightmare for the family whose dog is lost, or for the person who is feeding it on the street. No doubt an identification tag would help as would a helpline for lost and found animals. Dogs that on hearing loud sounds are prone to running helter-skelter should positively be tagged with a name and phone number.

Bach Flower remedies are known to help dogs cope with the loud frightening sounds of Diwali crackers. Available in pills and drops at some Homeopathy outlets, irrespective of the size of the dog, but depending on how frightened the dog gets, 1, 2 or 3 drops/pills of each of the following should be administered together, with or without water, no more than 3 to 5 times in 24 hours:
• Rescue Remedy
• Star of Bethlehem
• Mimulus

In severe cases it is best to begin giving 1 dose per day when Navratri begins and increase gradually – may be 2 doses a day from Dassera onwards depending on the number of crackers expected to be burst in the area.

Another precaution that could be easily taken is to keep dogs indoors but not alone in a room, and make them wear doggie ear-plugs or ear-muffs. Even a scarf would help if suitably tied.

Those who can afford it take their dogs to resorts away from the trauma of fire-crackers.

Processions

Crackers are also burst during processions which scare the participating animals such as horses, ponies, camels and elephants. Quite often they go berserk and injure people, property and themselves.

Some examples:
• In 2010 at Pune during a temple procession, a 5-year old girl died after being kicked by a horse on her head following crackers being burst.
• In 2010 at a wedding in Meerut an elephant (of the fifteen brought to welcome the baraatis) ran berserk when crackers were burst and gunshots fired as a part of the celebrations. The elephant was chased for 15 hours by over 200 persons during which time he smashed vehicles, blocked roads and finally went into a sugarcane field where he was tranquilised and caught.
• In October 2011 a fire-cracker caused a fire at the New Golden Circus on Sion-Trombay Road, Mumbai. Panic and chaos followed, but luckily no human or animal casualties occurred.
• On Independence Day 2012 at Athagarh in Cuttack district of Odisha, a 15-year old boy was gorged to death (and 3 others injured) by a buffalo that charged into a procession beating drums and cymbals – loud sounds no different to bursting crackers.

Such tragic incidents clearly indicate that crackers should never be burst in the vicinity of animals as it adversely affects both humans and animals.

We should make sure that festive gaiety never manifests itself at the expense of innocent animals made to needlessly suffer. People have sadistically lit crackers under a buffalo, oblivious to its agony to provoke it into activity at an annual community festival on the occasion of Gudi Padwa. A string of fire-crackers tied to the tails of animals such as dogs and donkeys and then lit is another form of cruelty that takes place. Deriving pleasure in causing and watching animals suffer is a sign of sadism which in time extends to humans.

Illegal Manufacture and Explosions

On Kali Puja night of 1998, in a village called Peyarapur (near Hoogly’s Sheoraphuli in WB) local youth hurled bombs at 24-year old Dipak Das. He was thus killed because of his intensive crusade against illegal manufacture and bursting of fire-crackers.

Illegal manufacture in WB (and elsewhere) continues. In May 2015 an explosion killed 12 people and 4 were severely injured at an illegal fire-cracker factory at Pingla in West Midnapore district.

Hundreds had to run for their lives at Diwali 2016 when a fire broke out at the fire-cracker market on a ground at Aurangabad. As many as 140 shops and 100 vehicles were gutted and the loss was estimated as well over Rs 10 crore.

In February 2019 at Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh, 12 persons were killed and 3 injured in a blast at a carpet unit where fire-crackers were being illegally manufactured.

In September 2019 a blast at an illegal fire-cracker factory at a densely populated residential area of Batala in Gurdaspur district of Punjab took place. People got trapped under the debris and despite rescue operations 23 persons died and over 30 were injured of which 7 were serious. Monetary compensation by government does not absolve the authorities who overlooked the operation of the illegal unit.

In February 2020 in Tarn Taran, Punjab during a religious procession (nagar kirtan) there was a fire-cracker explosion on a tractor-trolley on which they had been loaded. It killed 2 persons and seriously injured 9 to 13 others.

In July 2022 due to a big explosion in an illegal fireworks manufacturing unit in Saran district of Bihar, 5 persons of a family died and 6 others were injured. The cooking gas exploded after coming into contact with some lighted fire-crackers. The blast was so powerful that their 2-storied house collapsed and 2 adjacent houses got damaged.

In December 2022, 3 women and a man were killed and 8 others were critically injured in a fire-cracker blast at a house in Mohanur village in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal district. Although the owner was a licensed trader having a godown, he had not obtained permission to stock fire-crackers in his house.

In March 2023 as a result of an explosion in a licensed fire-cracker unit at Kuruvimalai near Orikkal village, Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, 11 persons were killed and more than 20 others were injured. Fire-cracker units can not work from 9 am to sunset during summer in order to avoid explosions triggered by heat but this rule was not abided by.

In May 2023 in Khadikul village, Egra, East Midnapore, West Bengal, 9 persons were killed and 2 critically injured in a massive blast at an illegal fire-cracker factory. The person who was running it was out on bail after being arrested in October 2022 for running an illegal fire-cracker factory. Again in May 2023 a result of fire-crackers being stocked illegally in a house in Budge Budge, West Bengal a fire broke out that killed 3 persons. Then in August 2023 another illegal fire-cracker unit blast in Duttapukur, West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district that killed 7 and injured 12 persons, also damaged more than a dozen houses in the neighbourhood.

In October 2023 at Rangapalayam and Kichanayakanpatti village in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, 11 persons were killed and 2 injured in two separate firecracker unit blasts.

In October 2023 as a result of a blaze in Mathura at a makeshift fire-cracker market set up for Diwali, 8 persons suffered and died, including 2 minors.

In February 2024 there was major fire at a firecracker factory in Harda, Madhya Pradesh in which 11 persons were killed after being trapped inside and 200 got injured.

Also in February 2024 at Kochi, 2 persons died and 4 were grievously injured when explosives including dynamite for the Puthiyakavu Bhagavathi temple festival fireworks were being unloaded from a vehicle to a temporary shed on an open plot. The explosion also severely damaged over 30 houses in the thickly populated neighbourhood.

Another tragedy took place in February 2024 when an explosion killed 10 persons at a fire-cracker unit in Virudhunagar district (which covers Sivakasi) in Tamil Nadu. According to official data, 131 people have perished in 69 accidents in the district’s cracker units from 2019 to 2023.

Yet again in February 2024, 7 persons died and 8 were hurt in a fire-cracker unit blast in Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh. The 35 year old owner of the unit who had a manufacturing licence was among the 7 who got killed.

A fire-cracker explosion occurred at the Lord Jagannath’s Chandan Yatra festival in Puri on 29 May 2024 in which 2 persons and an 18-month old died; and 33 people were injured in the mishap resulting in a high-level administrative probe.

Birds

Birds get scared of loud noises too. Realizing this, in 2012 the Rajasthan state government declared the area around Keoladeo National Park (formerly the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and now also known as the Ghana Bird Sanctuary) as a silent zone. This was done to provide a serene habitat to the park’s birds and give protection to migratory birds. Hotels, guest houses, marriage venues, etc. surrounding the park would need to abide by new rules that banned loud noises up to 500 metres around the periphery of the park. Bursting fire-crackers, blowing horns, playing loudspeakers and music through any instrument would draw punishment under sections of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

Since 2014, following the death of a pet dog in Chinchani village of Solapur district, no fire crackers are burst. It was a unanimous decision by inhabitants. This has helped not only animals but also birds since they no longer fly off in fright as there are no loud sounds that scare them. They now enjoy hearing the birds chirping!

Illumination on trees also harms birds, bats, insects and other living beings. Decorative lights should not be suspended on trees however pretty they make look. Nor should strings of small lights be wound around tree trucks and branches. They adversely affect the trees, birds and other lives because they are sensitive to electrical frequencies and light. For example, new blinding street lights around DPS Lake in Nerul in 2024 resulted in disorienting migratory flamingos and they crashed into objects, landed on the road, and eventually died.

Ingredients of Fire-Crackers and Fireworks

In 1923 at Sivakasi situated in the then Virudhapatti (village) the first matchbox factory of Tamil Nadu came up. Thus Sivakasi was initially well known for its match and later printing industries. (The latter is grappling with loss of orders.) The raw materials needed to make a matchbox and its contents are red phosphorus, paraffin wax, potassium chlorate, sulphur, splints, outer and inner box board.

The majority (90%) of fire-crackers sold in India are manufactured at Sivakasi and Virudhunagar (in 1924 the name was changed from Virudhapatti/village to Virudhunagar/city) in Tamil Nadu where in 2024 around 1,100 fireworks and 150 printing factories exist in addition to 50 mechanised and 300 semi-mechanised matchstick making units which are just at “break-even” according to the All India Chamber of Match Industries. However, following government restrictions on import of lighters from China they have been able to recover 90% of the matchstick market. But it is not so as far as fireworks are concerned particularly with rules that require only green fire-crackers to be manufactured and sold.

In 2018 the TN Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association stated that these large and medium units employ 3 lakh persons directly and 5 lakh indirectly. However in 2020-21 at least 200 fireworks units closed down and those working were operating at a quarter of their capacity. Prices of raw materials had risen and even at big discounts there were as good as no takers not even for the “green” crackers. The 2021 festive season (Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali) would therefore obviously become a make-or-break-year for them. That’s probably why the All India Chamber of Matches, the National Small Matchbox Manufacturers’ Association, and 3 other major manufacturers, decided to double the price of matchboxes to cost Rs 2/- each from 1 December 2021.

Over one lakh children were said to be illegally working as bonded labour in these units, however, Sivakasi is inching towards becoming a zero child labour industrial cluster of TN. The units begin operating every April so enough crackers are manufactured in time for Diwali. Workers are subjected to continuous hazards: general health problems due to handling and inhaling harmful chemicals, and frequent explosions resulting in fires that kill 3-4 persons a month and injure very many more. In September 2012 a blast in one of Sivakasi’s units that spread to 40 odd sheds of the complex killed 38 and injured as many as 70 persons. While this was said to be the worst accident in 20 years, other big fires at Sivakasi in recent years have claimed the lives of 4 persons in December 2011, 5 & 7 (in 2 incidents) in August 2011, 4 in June 2010, and 11 in July 2009.

By Diwali 2014 Sivakasi’s production fell to 30% and its all-India market share to 60%. Many manufacturers were apprehensive of the future because orders for Diwali 2015 which came in a year in advance were down by 50%. Moreover, nearly Rs 1,000 crore worth of stocks were unsold. They blamed it to the illegal entry and sale of cheap Chinese fire-works containing banned chlorates. (Ironically, in 2000 manufacturers had been to China to learn the tricks of the trade!) Although the Government banned Chinese fire-crackers in 2014, enforcement of the ban particularly by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) who had powers to identify and punish importers of Chinese fireworks, was not as forthcoming as expected.

In February 2014, at a fireworks factory in Bhaimada village, Alibaug Taluka of Maharahstra, 6 persons were killed, 1 missing, and 20 others injured in a major blaze. A few months later in May 2014 a cracker factory in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) caught fire and 15 or the 25 labourers inside died.

In September 2014 due powerful fire-cracker blasts in Sisendi (30 kms from Lucknow) 6 persons were killed. Since Diwali was approaching the crackers had been stored across the road at the owner’s residence where the blast occurred early morning.

A month later in October 2014, an explosion took place at a fire-cracker manufacturing unit on the outskirts of Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. At least 15 were killed (12 women and 3 men) and several others were seriously injured.

A day or so later, 2 persons, including a 7-year old girl, were also killed and 3 injured, in a cracker factory fire in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, Champahati area.

And, during Diwali 2014 over 200 shops at Faridabad’s fire-cracker market were gutted due to a massive fire which broke out. Lakhs of rupees were lost, but luckily no casualties were reported.

In October 2018 at least 8 persons were killed and 3 seriously injured when an explosion took place at a fire-cracker factory at Badaun in UP.

During the Diwali festive season across India many unauthorised fire-cracker shops and stalls come up where accidental fires often occur. In some cities stalls can not be set up closer than 50 metres from roads but there was a move to make it 20 metres in Pune in 2019. Inadequate fire safety equipment and protection precautions are responsible for the resultant deaths and damages. Earlier it was mandatory for the places to have water storage facility and keep sand at hand, now they are required to keep fire extinguishers.

Diwali crackers and fireworks are basically explosives and often sound like gunfire – the rassi bomb is the loudest with a 145 dB noise level, way above the permissible limit. There are torches, sparklers, confetti, wheels, flowerpots, fountains, shells, balls, rockets, crackers, bombs, missiles, snake tablets, ground spinners, garlands & strings of bursting crackers, etc. New cracker variations are developed every year: some carry two-stage devices, some have political connotations in their names, yet others are almost as expensive as gold, and so on. In 2016 to boost sales names such as Harry Potter, James Bond and Jennifer Lawrence were given to the crackers while Bollywood stars’ names took a back seat. And believe it or not, kids bought packets of sky shots just because they carried pictures of Daniel Craig (James Bond). They are made up of different chemicals (like nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and sulphate) and metals (some highly toxic ones like cadmium and lead in addition to copper, manganese, zinc, sodium, magnesium and potassium) mixed together and set with materials such as paper or aluminium foil, then dried and packed, ready for sale and igniting.

It is mandatory for manufacturers of fire-crackers to declare on labels, the chemical composition and decibel levels. After Diwali 2010 activists demanded that fire-crackers exceeding the permissible limit of 125 dB (decibels) must be banned and checking should be at the manufacturing stage.

Just before Diwali 2012, PESO tested 846 commonly available sound emitting fire-crackers from 144 manufacturers, and they all exceeded permissible decibel level of 125 dB.

When in 2013 the Pune regional office of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board checked 12 types of fire-crackers, they found 6 violated the prescribed noise levels. Only if strict action is taken against the manufacturers, violations will cease.

At Diwali 2016 none of the 11 fire-crackers tested by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in Pune violated permissible limits. They were also required to give information about the composition of the fire-crackers on the boxes.

Interestingly, a month earlier in September 2016 the Chest Research Foundation (CRF) and Pune University’s findings presented at the European Respiratory Society revealed the snake tablet cracker emitted the highest amount of particulate matter (PM 2.5) and although it burnt out in 12 seconds its effects lasted for 3 minutes. The other 5 harmful ones were ladis, pulpuls, fuljhadis, chakris and anaars. It was also stated that apart from particulate matter, gaseous pollution is harmful for lungs, eyes, nose and heart; and the pollutants can worsen asthma, cause allergic diseases of the eyes and nose, respiratory tract infections, pneumonia and heart attacks. A few years earlier the CRF had reported that burning fire-crackers during Diwali had produced very high levels of gaseous air pollutants – 200 times the safety limit suggested by the World Health Organisation.

The System of Air Quality Forecast and Research (SAFAR) released its forecast for the festive period accurately saying it was expected to deteriorate during Diwali. Meanwhile, as a preventive measure, the demand for air purifiers continued to rise.

A PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed by an individual from Sivakasi, and another case by the Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association, came up for hearing at the Madurai High Court in 2014. The Court pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Central Board of Excises & Customs, and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, for not cracking down on the illegal import of fire-crackers from China despite receiving complaints since 2012. Six hundred containers carrying Chinese fire-crackers were estimated to have entered India unchecked. In desperation the Tamil Nadu Fireworks Industries Workers Protection Association announced a reward ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh for helping to locate imported fire-crackers from China.

Last but not least, stearic acid (can be of animal or non-animal origin) is an ingredient of fireworks. It is used to coat metal powders such as aluminium and iron in order to prevent oxidation, thus allowing longer storage.

Temple Tragedy

As per the Explosives Act, 2008, District Collectors were entrusted with issuing licences for possession and use of fireworks for public display. Earlier, the explosives controller of the central government was the sole authority who gave permission for fireworks displays at temples and churches.

When in April 2016 there was a deadly blast during a fireworks show at the Puttingal Devi temple in Kerala which caused the death of at least 112, injured over 400 persons and extensively damaged surrounding property, it came to light that the order which quoted the inquiry reports by assistant divisional fire officer, the environmental engineer and the district police chief, clearly denied permission for going ahead with the fireworks on the temple premises, despite which the fireworks were conducted. It also came to light that a prohibited substance, potassium chloride had been used in these fire-crackers.

Although 451 people had died in Kerala in accidents related to fireworks during the last three years, the Travancore Devasam board that governs nearly 1,000 temples in the state said it would not accept a ban on fireworks. However, the Kerala High Court banned the display of noise-producing fire-crackers between sunset and sunrise across the state.

Earlier, an animal rights group appealed to the Prime Minister who is also the Chairman of the National Board for Wildlife, to stop the use of fire-crackers by planters and tribal communities inside forest areas to ward off straying wild animals. Especially elephants get wounded like the one inside Peppara Forest that died of burn wounds in 2014. They suggested that recorded sounds of tiger or bees could be used to scare away wild elephants.

Harmful Light and Sound

Crackers are harmful – to all living beings and for the environment. They are a meaningless cause of noise, air, water and land pollution. Are fire hazards and injurious to those who manufacture, sell and use them.

Air pollution due to crackers causes problems to eyes, throat and nose, results in headaches, respiratory and lung problems (can even restrict breathing), throat and chest congestion, colds, coughs, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, sinusitis and pneumonia.

Noise pollution causes restlessness, anger, fidgetiness, impulsive behaviour (hyperactive or withdrawn), high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, sleep disturbances, and fear; and can easily result in hearing loss.

Loud music is also noise pollution, e.g. during Ganesh festival when it is played late into the night. This festival also causes water, and to some extent air pollution. Eco friendly guidelines are drawn up by the authorities every year but not every one abides by them.

Mother earth (land and water) gets easily polluted due to crackers both during manufacture and after use.

Those particularly distressed and harmed as a result of busting crackers are animals and birds, and persons who are sick, aged, and babies. Humans can at least understand the source of the loud noises, but animals and birds can not, so they suffer much more.

It is commendable that people living in villages around the Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary of Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu, have for decades been celebrating Diwali without crackers – they don’t even beat a traditional drum as it could scare the birds and bats in the area.

It started over a century ago at 2 villages, Unathur near Thalaivasal in Salem district and Agraharam Nattamangalam in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu, where Diwali is celebrated without fire-crackers. Thousands of bats live in the area and their well being is much more important than any celebration, to the inhabitants. Since the bats are considered guests, they are not disturbed or troubled in any way, which would happen if fire-crackers were burst.

Interestingly, in 2015 the local government of an Italian town called Collecchio in the province of Parma introduced legislation forcing citizens to use silent fireworks as a way of respecting animals and reducing the stress caused to them. BWC feels it would benefit countless animals, birds, infants and the elderly if this rule is made mandatory all over India.

Keeping in mind the thick smog that hangs in the air and damages respiratory tracts, in 2017 a Jaipur manufacturer to reduce the pollution, introduced smokeless fire-crackers.

Children get frequently burnt while playing with fire-crackers and turns out to be fatal for some. Fire Brigades receive many calls during Diwali. A number of these calls are because half-burnt crackers carelessly thrown away in garbage bins have burst out in flames. Another aspect is that during the festival due to crackers there is around 30% increase garbage.

Harmful Chemical Compounds used in Fire-crackers

Good, but not Good Enough

While sadistic behaviour of tying strings of crackers on the tails of dogs, donkeys, etc. and igniting them are becoming rare, bursting crackers in the vicinity of animals continue to occur and result in terrible frightening experiences for the animals and birds. Candles that fly up and burst in mid-air which are used on birthday cakes are as dangerous. For example, in April 2023 at a candle making unit in Dhule (Maharashtra) the chemicals utilised in their making were not carefully handled resulting in the death of workers – 3 women and 1 girl.

Also, in December 2023 at Pimpri-Chinchwad area in Pune, in a massive blaze at a sparkling candle making factory seriously injuring 16 persons of which 9 died. Upon investigations, the National Green Tribunal’s joint panel’s report noted that the factory was operating illegally and that the blaze was due to a flash fire that occurred while the workers were handling highly flammable substances such as nitrocellulose powder, potassium chloride and iron powder.

The DNA Mumbai carried a news article on 22 October 2011 titled “NO BANG in cracker sales this DIWALI”. The ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) survey covering manufacturers at Sivakasi (Tamil Nadu) and dealers and retailers of fire-crackers in major cities of India, found that a greater environmental awareness, rising prices of fire-crackers (30-40% increase over last year) and anti-cracker campaigns had adversely affected sales and demand was likely to fall by 35 to 40% during Diwali 2011. Furthermore, according to ASSOCHAM the Rs 1,200 crore domestic fireworks industry has been in the doldrums since 2009 because of a 15% drop in demand from the northern states which accounted for 75% of total sales. The survey also found a 35% increase in production of fire-crackers aimed to lure the environmentally conscious buyers, claiming that such crackers were not as loud and emitted smoke that was free of harmful chemicals. (Not so bad, but nevertheless, bad.)

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) (Amendment) Rules, 2010, under which guidelines the state pollution control boards monitor noise levels in most cities, especially during Diwali, have found that each year pollution is decreasing. Also, the Anti-Noise Pollution Committee and several educational institutions have for years been convincing students and others to take the Diwali Oath not to burst crackers.

Just before Diwali 2014 a petition was filed by an individual in the NGT or National Green Tribunal (Pune) seeking a ban on bursting fire-crackers on the grounds that they caused pollution and promoted child labour. It was pointed out that legal restrictions were not implemented so much so that large quantities of Chinese made fire-crackers were illegally imported and sold in India. The NGT was also requested to take action against bursting fire-crackers by supporters of politicians during processions. The resultant order directed action (including seizing of illegal fire-crackers) to be taken against those who stock Chinese fire-crackers and Indian ones such as sutli, rocket and 7-shot bombs that cross the permitted decibel limits.

Again, before Diwali 2015 a petition was filed in the Supreme Court by the advocate fathers of 3 toddlers seeking a complete ban on crackers to curb pollution beginning with Delhi. This resulted in panic among cracker manufacturers of Sivakasi who approached the Supreme Court saying banning fireworks during Diwali would be against Hindu belief and mythology. They also challenged the ban on the grounds that it had affected 821 fireworks industries and snatched the livelihood of 5 lakh employees.

In November 2016, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to suspend all licences permitting sale of fireworks in NCR and also ordered that no fresh licences/renewal should be given/granted to sell fire-crackers until further orders. This order was immediately challenged by the traders and retailers urging the court to permit the almost 1000 licence holders of fireworks operating in the NCR outside Delhi to carry on with their trade.

After senior officers of the Central Pollution Control Board, and the Petroleum & Explosive Safety Organisation briefed the Supreme Court on the harmful aspects of chemicals used in fire-crackers during Diwali, for weddings and other events, in July 2017 the Supreme Court banned the use of harmful substances like lithium (metal used for imparting red colour), antimony (used to create glitter), mercury, arsenic and lead oxide (used for crackle is probably the most harmful since it damages the nervous system if inhaled) in crackers till standards for manufacture were drawn up.

Then, in September 2017 the Supreme Court revoked the ban on sale of fire-crackers in Delhi and NCR (National Capital Region) saying a complete ban was “too radical a step”. The order came after the Sivakasi manufacturers challenged the ban. The SC had ordered suspension of all licences permitting sale of fireworks within NCR. However, the court imposed a total ban on bringing fire-crackers into Delhi and NCR saying that the existing stock of 50 lakh kgs was more than enough for Dussera and Diwali 2017. However, in a setback to traders the SC held that there would be no sale of fire-crackers in the NCR till 1 November 2017, including during Diwali in October 2017.

It was heartening that every one every where in India became aware of the harmful effects of fire-crackers upon themselves and the environment, and therefore many voluntarily gave them a miss at Diwali. Sound and air pollution decreased in many cities and consequently the trauma that animals and birds usually undergo was considerably lessened.

In October 2018 on receiving a request from the Fireworks Manufacturers Association, the Tamil Nadu state government requested the Centre to exempt the industry from various provisions of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. As 90% of the fireworks produced in India are from the 850 units located in Virudhunagar district, BWC felt that if they were permitted to manufacture, it would be a very big setback for the campaign.

Soon after, a fortnight before Diwali, a plea for a blanket ban on the manufacture and sale of fire-crackers across India came up for hearing in the Supreme Court. However the bench of Justices were against a blanket ban and instead set out stringent standards for manufacture, sale and use:

• Only “green” crackers could be manufactured and sold by those licensed;

• No online sale would be permitted; and

• Bursting fire-crackers would be allowed only between 8 to 10 pm and in pre-designated areas.

Nearly 4 months after banning manufacture of polluting fire-crackers, the Supreme Court in March 2019 asked why people were only running after the fire-cracker industry through automobiles were a bigger source of pollution. The softening of the order was as a result of manufacturers contending unemployment of more than 2 lakh persons.

Despite the demand for firecrackers having lessened due to Covid-19 restrictions, in February 2021 a big blast occurred in a firecracker unit at Achankulam near Sattur in TN that killed 17 persons and injured 35 others. Government granting monetary relief to the relatives of those who died and those injured can not overlook the fact that several violations were identified in the unit where as many as 70 persons were employed.

In February 2022, 6 workers were killed and 14 suffered extensive burns due to an explosion at an illegal fire-cracker factory at industrial area Bathri, Haroli tehsil, Una district of Himachal Pradesh.

A day later 4 workers died in an explosion that occurred in a leading fire-cracker manufacturing unit in Thuraiyoor near Kovilpatti in Tuticorin district, TN. Three major accidents had recently occurred in fire-crackers units in which 3 or more persons had been killed. One of the earlier accidents occurred when a 27-year-old man was killed (while 2 tenants, a mother and baby, sustained injuries) manufacturing fire-crackers illegally at a house in Nalliveranpatti, Madurai.

In May 2024 one person was killed in a firework unit explosion in Salem. Then in September 2024 at a fire-cracker unit at Vellaiyampatti village in Salem district while unloading raw materials used for making fire-crackers from a vehicle when a spark triggered an explosion, 3 workers got injured and 1 was killed. This was followed by a fire that broke out at a unit in Virudhunagar district resulting in an autorickshaw driver being trapped under the debris and being killed as well as critically injuring a worker from Sivakasi.

“Green” Crackers

In January 2018 scientists from a network of CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) labs began researching and testing new formulations of “green” crackers which contain no harmful chemicals, nor cause air pollution. They named the first three SWAS (Safe Water Releaser), STAR (Safe Thermite Craker) and SAFAl (Safe Minimal Aluminium).

These “green” crackers have a chemical formulation that produces water molecules. The generation of water molecules within the fire-cracker’s mechanism acts as a dust suppressant. It absorbs particulate matter and significantly reduces nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide. So it’s a light and sound system that produces low emissions. PESO (Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation) is expected to approve the formulation before Diwali.

Unfortunately, the TN Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association members are not bothered by the SC order because they feel it will take a minimum of 3 years to enforce. But they seem to be wrong because the Centre told the Supreme Court that the chemical formulation of “green” crackers had been finalised by CSIR and NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) and bulk manufacturing could start in May 2019.

Of the many chemical formulas submitted by CSIR-NEERI only one was accepted by PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation). The ones rejected contained barium nitrate which would have amounted to contempt of court. It seemed that there was a problem between them which was taken advantage of by the manufacturers. Just before Diwali 2019 it was discovered that while several fire-cracker units had shut down in places like Delhi, some manufacturers of Sivakasi had reverted to conventional fire-cracker compositions, thus defeating the very purpose of curbing pollution. Earlier a person had been killed in an accident at a factory which claimed to have followed a CSIR-NEERI formulation.

The Supreme Court banned the use of barium in crackers 2018. But after it was reconfirmed by the Court in 2021 the fireworks units of Sivakasi stopped producing phuljhari (sparkler), rolling chakri (ground spinner) and anar (flowerpot) for Diwali 2022. However, there was a 30% increase in orders after a loss of two years due to the pandemic. This is when it was reported that Sivakasi was fast becoming a hotspot for illegal manufacture. Again in 2023 it was reported that Sivakasi was producing barium nitrate fire-crackers illegally.

Foreign e-crackers available in India contain high-voltage micro generators which spark off at random intervals and sound like recorded fire-crackers.

A Growing Awareness

The best news is that health, environmental and animal welfare concerns, as also the fact that money spent on crackers literally goes up in smoke, have resulted in mainly school children and some others taking pledges not to explode fire-crackers and their numbers are growing. Added to which, in 2013 two Pune hospitals said that the awareness campaigns were making an impact and Diwali was gradually becoming more of a festival of lights than sounds because with each passing year the number of patients brought to them with severe injuries caused by fire-crackers were decreasing.

In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak some state governments like Rajasthan, Odisha, Nagaland, Chandigarh and Delhi banned the use of fire-crackers during and after Dassera 2020. Restrictions were also announced in many states. It was followed by the Calcutta High Court banning the sale and bursting of fire-crackers during Diwali, Kali Puja, Chhat Puja, Jagadhatri Puja and Guru Nanak’s Birthday celebrations in the entire state. The Court order of 5th November 2020 stated “only wax or oil-based diyas would have to suffice, for the greater good of the citizens and in the larger public interest… The compendious word “fire-crackers” is used in this order to include all types of sparklers and the like, whether or not the use of burning thereof involves any sound or light being generated.” Luckily the Supreme Court that was petitioned by the Fireworks Dealers’ Association refused to interfere with the Calcutta HC order banning fire-crackers. While dismissing the plea, the bench told the petitioners “We can understand your hardship. But people are battling for life in this situation.”

Simultaneously, the NGT ordered a ban on sale and use of fire-crackers all over in India where the air quality had been categorised as ‘poor’, ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ in November 2019 by the Central Pollution Control Board of India. Furthermore, for festivals like Diwali, Chhat, Christmas and New Year the tribunal allowed the use of “green” crackers only for 2 hours in cities where air quality was ‘moderate’ or better. It is believed that coastal cities such as Mangaluru do not get as polluted as compared to cities that are landlocked, because the sea breeze helps in dissipating the little clouds of smoke left in the air by fire-crackers.

Prior to the festive months of October to December 2021 many more states exercised extra caution and totally banned (like Delhi, Odisha and Haryana), curtailed their use, whereas several states allowed the use of “green” crackers only (between timings like Rajasthan). Moreover, a Bench of the Supreme Court said “We do not want to come in the way of enjoyment, but for enjoyment one cannot play with the fundamental right of others”. The SC order was not against any festival or community, but was protecting the right to life of people against pollution and therefore fire-crackers made from banned materials should not permitted and emphasized that there should be some accountability on behalf of those who had to implement the order.

In September 2022 the Delhi Environment Minister said the production, sale (including online sales) and use of all types of fire-crackers would be banned till January 1, 2023. Like Delhi, even Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya and Jammu also banned “green” crackers.

A couple of days before Diwali 2022 celebrations began, a TV channel in an undercover investigation showed strong political objections to the fire-cracker ban, and crackers being sold illegally in Delhi after “green” cracker stickers were affixed on them although they did contain banned ingredients. One of the persons revealed there was no such thing as “green” crackers because all crackers contained some banned ingredient. This despite “green” crackers having to carry the distinct QR code!

In 2023 two months prior to Diwali the Delhi government renewed its ban on fire-crackers and issued strict instructions to the Police to enforce it, saying it was part of the plan to curb air pollution which required further improvement. Expecting the ban to continue, traders had refrained from placing orders because they did not want to indulge in illegal selling which attracts a jail term of up to 6 months and a fine of Rs 200/-. Most of them have begun selling other items such as hosiery in their shops.

Tamil Nadu did not curtail production or sale of fire-crackers and barium nitrate was used in 40% of the fireworks varieties made in Virudhunagar. By Diwali 2022 the number of fireworks units here had risen to 1,000 and sales crossed Rs 4,000 crore despite which they were unsatisfied. They claimed that as a result of the ban they could only manufacture 20% of varieties and that there was a decline in production of 40%.

However, in most cities the air quality post-Diwali was better in 2022 as compared to 2021. Also people heard a less number of loud cracker bursting sounds which meant less noise pollution too.

In November 2023 it was reported that Sivakasi Diwali sales had lost their spark amid Delhi and Karnataka diktats. Delhi has declared a total ban on fire-crackers till 1 January 2024; whereas Karnataka issued stringent guidelines following a massive blaze that had claimed 14 lives at Attibele, situated on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border. Demand had decreased by around 20% compared to last year and one of the main reasons was the ban on the use of barium nitrate.

Again in 2024 October when Delhi banned fire-crackers till 1 January 2025, Sivakasi (Kutty Japan as it was known decades ago) faced a 15% dip in production. Unfortunately illegal production was on the rise. Expressing serious concern over high pollution levels in Delhi during Diwali 2024, the Supreme Court took exception to the violation of Court orders and said its directives on fire-crackers ban were “hardly implemented”. The Delhi government and police were asked to within a week inform the SC what steps they had taken to completely ban manufacture, sale and bursting of fire-crackers and action they had taken against violators.

We all need to do our bit in which ever way we can, to stop the manufacture, sale, purchase and particularly, bursting of crackers. The way forward is perhaps electric fireworks and drone shows.

"Diwali"|Short Film can be viewed on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aNo-D2_3_4