Let's celebrate only 'Green Diwali' this time

Ranjan Kumar Padmapati

(The writer can be reached at rkpadmapati@yahoo.co.in)

Diwali is a festival of lights which signifies the victory of divine light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Once people used eco-friendly items to celebrate Diwali. In the olden days, people collected naturally available oil-bearing Nahar seeds and the like. These , were dried in sunight in advance and were lit in the evening. Till recently, people used bio-degradable 'Diyas' or earthen lamps with mustard oil for evening illumination. But with the passage of time, this practice was discontinued as electric lights with variegated colours became popular. At present, buildings are illuminated brightly with such electric lights of varied sizes and lengths. As a result, electrical load has increased many fold during Diwali . It is estimated that each unit of power would produce 0.91 to.95 kg of carbon dioxide; 6.94 to 7.2 grams of sulfur dioxide; and also 4.22 to 4.38 grams of nitrous oxides. To reduce carbon foot print, people should use LED bulbs which are 80 per cent more energy efficient.

Drawing 'Alpana' in front of gates is a common custom during Diwali; and, while doing so chemical colours are purchased. This is harmful for health. The colours can be prepared from naturally available items like the dried green leaves, and petals of many other flowers such as marigold and rose can be used for the grren hue; rice powder (for white colour); turmeric gives yellow; and so on. In Assam, there was a system of drawing geometric motifs called 'Morol' in different pujas from various naturally available ingredients such as ashes of cow dung for black colour, powder of dried Bel leaves for green among others. Insects and birds also feast on some of these naturally available ingredients.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed that bursting of crackers for only two hours -- between 8 pm to 10 pm. The apex Court also directed that only green crackers -- which are less harmful -- should be manufactured. Normally its constituents are copper (that induces irritation of the respiratory system ), cadmium (induces anemia and kidney damage); lead (affects the nervous system); magnesium and its fume (known to cause metal fume fever); sodium (affects skin); zinc (induces vomiting tendency), nitrates (cause mental impairment) and more amount nitrites may lead to even coma. It has been also found that the harmful chemicals of crackers and sparkles get mixed in drains, and also water bodies to contaminate. These chemicals even percolate below the ground and contaminate ground water.

Green crackers are those that are less harmful and its chemicals must not have substances like lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead, and mercury. Some of them are carcinogenic. Green cracker formulations are such that when burnt water formation takes place and water vapor absorbs particulate matters; and thereby significantly reduce different oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxides and act as particulate matter suppressant.

According to the Supreme Court, the PESO will ensure that while manufacturing the fire works only the permitted chemicals are used, and only Green Crackers are sold during Diwali . The fire work business involves Rs 20,000 crores while many components (of around Rs 5,000 crores) imported from China. The Chinese items must be avoided as they contain many predominantly high harmful substances. The cracker business employs about 80 million child labourers; and many children are victims of TB and bronchitis. Purchasing crackers indirectly amounts to patronizing child labour and now, the children should say "NO to Crackers".

The green crackers are of low sound level (45 to 50 decibels. Excessive sound level increases blood pressure, risk of heart attack. Sound level of more than 140 decibels may cause permanent damage to the hearing system.

Not only in Delhi but also in Assam, there are reports of increase in the sound level. The the SPCB recorded the maximum sound level of 115 decibels in Silchar in 2013. Similar data are available for residential and commercial areas for other cities as well. The Environment Protection Act-1986, does not permit bursting of crackers above 125 decibels and between 10 pm to 6 am. The Senior Citizen Act has granted the right to sleep during this period of time. Not only human beings, but also birds and other animals also show signs of nervous breakdown.

Yet another harmful contribution of bursting crackers is the emission of particulate matters (of diameter less than 2.55 microns) and particulate matters (of diameter less than 10 microns). Particulate matter less than 2.5 micron is the most dangerous one -- once it is inhaled it will never come out and permanently settles in lungs.

In fact, ll the towns and cities of India have shows sharp increase in particulate matter concentrations in air and lower AQI (Air Quality Index) during Diwali.

Because of "Diwali Smoke", visibility was reduced to just 200 meters in Delhi in 2016. In Guwahati, particulate matter (of 2.5 microns) jumped to 214 micrograms from 23.25 micro grams in the Lachit Nagar area in 2016. The 'Safe limit' is only 10 micrograms annually and 25 micro grams for 24 hours basis.

In Delhi, the particulate matter of 2.5 micron size jumped to 1238 micrograms per meter cube in certain places which was about 50 times higher than the permitted level. But in 2017, these values came down due to a blanket ban on fire crackers during the Diwali days, says report of CPCB. Moreover, the Supreme Court directive was effective in combating pollution during the Diwali days. As a conscious citizen all should show respect for the apex Court's directive.

Reports from WHO say that yearly 3 million people die because of outdoor air pollution. One should remember that bursting of one cracker is equal to smoking of 100 cigarettes in terms of health hazards

Another harmful after-effect is the accumulation of huge amount of garbage, these are waste papers of the crackers loitering in the streets. In Delhi, the increase in garbage is 30PC amounts to additional 4000 metric tones of garbage; and in Mumbai twice the normal volume. In Bangalore, it is increased by 800 to 1000 tonnes.

Let us celebrate Diwali with bio degradable materials shop with paper or jute carry bags instead of polythene bags or plastic bags, avoid harmful colours, use earthen oil lamps, decorate homes with natural flowers, burst 3D or electric crackers

Let's be partners and celebrate only 'Green Diwali' this year.