New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), on Monday, pronounced a complete ban on the use or sale of all kinds of firecrackers, between November 10 and 30, in all cities across India where the air quality is under 'poor' category. Environmental Experts have welcomed the move saying that the nation is already facing a health-emergency of Coronavirus pandemic, which can get worse by the bursting of crackers on various festivals.
"We are living in the trouble times, we have a health emergency, we'll have to think about clean air and unfortunately, firecrackers don't help our air at all," said Environmental expert Vimlendu Jha on NGT order.
He further added, "We all need to understand that north India's air quality index is extremely vulnerable. In several areas of Delhi, we have seen AQI almost hitting 700. Right now, given the COVID crisis, we need to do everything under our command to address this issue."
A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel permitted the sale and use of 'Green crackers' in the areas where the air quality fell under 'moderate' or below category.
Also read: NGT imposes ban on sale, use of firecrackers in NCR from Nov 9 to Nov 30
NGT's order also noted that Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Delhi and Chandigarh among others had already prohibited the sale and use of firecrackers in the view of protection to vulnerable groups, including elderly, children and people with co-morbidities.
"With COVID and air pollution, we should do all the needful things. Firecrackers, with every evidence that we have at our disposal, are extremely polluting. We have seen in the past few years, days after Diwali, the pollution levels increase almost 20-25 times," said the Environmentalist.
The Tribunal also directed various authorities, including Pollution Control Board, Pollution Control commmittes, to initiate drives to contain air pollution from various sources.
Asserting over the need of implementation of this ban on the ground, Vimlendu Jha said, "When there is a huge crisis already, vis-a-vis air pollution, it is important to ban crackers and for citizens to follow that ban. Also, it is should be ensured that the Ban is actually being followed on ground because it's not just about the court putting a ban unless it is being implemented on the ground, we will not see the impact."
Earlier today, the Haryana Government lifted the ban and allowed the celebratory bursting of 'Green crackers' for two hours on Diwali and Gurupurab. However, after the NGT's order, these relaxations may not apply to Haryana's NCR districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat and Rohtak.
While speaking to ETV Bharat, Senior Advocate Raj Panjwani, who was a part of counsel for appearing parties, said, "Now the Haryana Government's order on the use of green firecrackers for two hours stands invalidated, provided the air quality index is above 200.
Also read: Disregard for responsibility will be disastrous
When asked if the order has come too late as licenses were being issued to the shopkeepers for the sale of 'Green Crackers', he replied, "It can never ever be late to check pollution. If you'll never check pollution, it shall never abate. You need to pass the orders which will abate the pollution, which in consequence impact human health, particularly amid the COVID pandemic."
On Monday, the air quality of Delhi-NCR remains under 'Severe' category for the third consecutive day. According to the bulletin of SAFAR, load dispersion condition continues in Delhi region along with high fire-related intrusion which has accumulated the pollutants near the surface.
