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Relevance: GS-II (Polity) | GS-III (Environment) | Source: The Hindu
The Context: Calling firecrackers a cultural and religious part of Deepavali, the Supreme Court has permitted the limited use of certified “green crackers” in Delhi-NCR. However, the court noted that festivities lose all meaning (become nugatory) if they poison the air and harm vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and the disabled.
1. The Strict Ground Rules (Delhi-NCR)
- Fixed Time Slots: Only certified green crackers are allowed, strictly between 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on November 7 and 8.
- 300-Metre ‘No-Cracker Zones’: While standard noise rules set a 100-metre silence zone, the court expanded the firework buffer to 300 metres around hospitals, nursing homes, old age homes, and schools.
- Ban on Series Crackers: Joined firecrackers (garlands or laris) remain completely banned due to extreme noise, smoke, and solid waste.
2. What Makes a Cracker ‘Green’? (CSIR-NEERI Tech)
- Lower Emissions & Noise: Developed by CSIR-NEERI in 2018, green crackers are not pollution-free, but they cut Particulate Matter (PM 2.5, PM 10) and gas emissions by 30%–35% and cap sound at 100–125 dB (down from 160+ dB).
- No Heavy Metals: They completely remove toxic chemicals like Barium nitrate (used for green colour and heavy smoke), Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, and Lithium.
- Three Variants: SWAS (releases tiny water droplets to settle dust), STAR (eliminates potassium nitrate and sulphur to lower smoke), and SAFAL (uses magnesium instead of high aluminium to cut flash smoke).
Practice MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Green Crackers’ and firework regulations in India:
- Certified green crackers developed by CSIR-NEERI completely eliminate particulate emissions and use Barium nitrate as a primary eco-friendly oxidiser.
- The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), which certifies firework safety, functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Hint: Statement 1 is incorrect because green crackers reduce particulate emissions by 30–35% (not 100%) and strictly prohibit toxic heavy metals like Barium nitrate. Statement 2 is correct; PESO operates under the DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Hint: Statement 1 is incorrect because green crackers reduce particulate emissions by 30–35% (not 100%) and strictly prohibit toxic heavy metals like Barium nitrate. Statement 2 is correct; PESO operates under the DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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