Dubai
Diwali is a festival of joy, light and splendour. It brings with it festive lights, crackers and fireworks, but the after effects can be detrimental, not only to the environment, but also to our health.
This year, I had the privilege of conducting an anti-pollution campaign promoting a green and cracker-free Diwali in my community, followed by a subsequent clean-up drive in my neighbourhood to remove the cracker bits after the Diwali celebrations.
The community members were given handy tips for a green Diwali, such as avoiding electric lights to illuminate the home. Instead, they could opt for diyas (earthen lamps) and candles to save electricity. They were advised to select eco-friendly gifts and decorating items as well. Limiting the usage of fire crackers that emit enormous smoke and sound, as well as disposing off waste properly after celebrations was also stressed upon.
The poisonous chemical mix discharged from fire crackers affects adults and children, especially those with asthma and other respiratory disorders as well as people with chemical sensitivity due to breathing the toxic air, as stated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef). They have issued a serious warning in this regard that cannot be ignored.
Studies have also shown that crackers contain significant amount of heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium and their fumes are highly harmful. The Supreme Court of India had also imposed a ban on the sale of fireworks in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), which is due to evidence of deterioration of air quality every year during Diwali on account of bursting of fire crackers.
According to the India-based research organisation Urban Emissions, the danger of pollution is equivalent to smoking 40 cigarettes a day. All these are indeed alarming facts and cause for grave concern!
It is a sad fact that we hear or read about the ill effects of loud noise and environmental pollution often, but we are reluctant to realise that fire crackers are hazards.
Gautam Kapur, a banker based in Dubai, also believes that crackers are a source of environmental pollution and other health hazards, especially respiratory problems and should definitely be avoided.
On being asked for suggestions for celebrating a green and eco-friendly Diwali, he said: “The festival is an auspicious occasion, which should not be celebrated with crackers, but with candle lights, flowers, sweets and spending quality time with family and friends. We all need to develop a sense of responsibility towards our environment, which can be achieved by pledging not to burn crackers every Diwali.”
Sheela Vinodkumar, a homemaker based in Dubai, agreed that we should go cracker-free in the future, since firecrackers are extremely detrimental and cause air, light and sound pollution.
She said: “If one had to choose between bursting crackers or not, then we shouldn’t as it ensures that the Earth is well protected for the future.”
We all need to pledge to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali every year. It is in our hands to celebrate this auspicious festival in a safe and green manner to control environmental pollution as well as protect our health.
A multi-pronged strategy needs to be implemented, including awareness campaigns on the deadly effects of environmental pollution through the burning of fire crackers and the resultant release of toxic elements in the atmosphere. This should be backed by the quick removal of piles of cracker remnants, both by the public authorities and the social community of each area. Pollution is an imminent threat to our planet!
— The reader is a student based in Dubai.
Be a community reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com
