Keypoints:
– The NGT issues a ban on firecrackers from November 7 to 30, one of the reason being the increase of air pollution.
– People are being insisted to burst “green” firecrackers between 8 pm to 10 pm on the day of Diwali.
On Monday, the National Green Tribunal issued notice to four state governments and Union environment ministry on ban on use of firecrackers from November 7 to 30. The notice came on a petition filed by a non profit organisation named Indian Social Responsibility Network. Through the notice, the NGT sought responses from the environment ministry, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi Police Commissioner and governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan.
Ahead of the winter season, the four states are severely impacted by air pollution. Dipping temperature, high number of vehicles on the roads , industries and crop fires has aggravated the situation. The Centre has already put in place a pollution control mechanism under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The plea referred to the statements from Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain which said during the festive season, there will be a rise in coronavirus infections because of air pollution.
“Increased pollution may further affect the vulnerable groups and increase the fatality rate. Covid-19 cases in Delhi may go up to 15,000 per day, as against the current cases of about 5,000 per day,” the plea claimed. It also stated that the use of green crackers is not a remedy. Earlier the Delhi government had published a list of more than 800 open spaces across the national capital where people will be able to burst “green” firecrackers between 8 pm and 10 pm on the day of Diwali.
Meanwhile, the Union home ministry in its release attributed the recent rise in coronavirus cases in Delhi due to festive season and leniency shown by residents in following virus related restrictions.
