Are Green Firecrackers Truly A Cleaner Choice?

The

Supreme Court has relaxed the ban on green firecrackers ahead of Diwali, permitting their sale and bursting in Delhi-NCR at designated spots and timings. The apex court said it had taken into consideration "environmental concerns, sentiments of the festival season, and the right to livelihood of cracker manufacturers" while arriving at the decision.Designed to reduce air pollution, green crackers are a low-emission alternative to conventional firecrackers. These crackers replace certain hazardous agents in traditional crackers with less polluting substances with the aim to reduce both noise intensity and emissions.

30% Less Pollution: Relief in Moderation?

Green crackers are said to produce about 30% less pollution since they don't contain harmful chemicals like barium nitrate. Instead, they use safer materials that don't pollute the air as much. These eco-friendly fireworks come in three main types: SWAS, which releases water vapor; STAR, which makes less noise and pollution; and SAFAL, which uses less harmful metals.While green crackers can reduce pollution by 30–35 per cent, extensive usage can nullify these benefits, especially during a period where the Delhi-NCR region chokes due to pollution largely attributed to stubble burning in the states of Punjab and Haryana.Delhi's air quality has, for the first time in four months, slipped to the "poor" category already. The Central Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed GRAP-1 restrictions across the national capital. Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 234 at 4 PM on Tuesday (October 14).A 27-point action plan has been applicable from 8 AM today across Delhi NCR, which includes steps to be implemented by various agencies, including Pollution Control Boards.Also Read: Patakha Waali Diwali for Delhi: From Timings, Dates to Types of Crackers - What Are SC's Guidelines?

What Are The SC's Guidelines?

According to the new directions of the apex court, only green crackers approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) will be allowed for sale and use. These may be used only at designated sites across Delhi-NCR and strictly between 6-7 AM and 8-10 PM, from October 18-21, which means residents can burst crackers for 4 days.The SC has mandated that patrol teams will conduct regular checks on cracker manufacturers and their QR codes have to be uploaded on sites.Experts recommend buying green crackers only from licensed sellers to ensure they meet safety and environmental standards. While these fireworks are less polluting than traditional ones, they still release some harmful emissions, making it important to use them responsibly.