Question 1: There are just two weeks to Diwali. How will the authorities ensure strict enforcement of the order in such a short time across the country?

Speaking to FIT , Sumit Sharma, Associate Director, Earth Science and Climate Change Division, TERI, says only if the order is fully implemented and followed religiously will there be any reduction in pollution levels. “Since there’s no blanket ban, firecracker bursting will invariably happen, flouting this norm. This should be done well in advance so that you can sensitise people. We always talk about crackers when there are 15 days left. This is the time to talk about next Diwali, not this Diwali. And if these violations happen this year, we’re heading towards a pollution problem similar to last year’s,” says Sharma.

Question 2: The SC order says that Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and the police shall ensure that sale and use of only “green” crackers is permitted. Do these authorities have enough capacity to effect this across the country?

There are hundreds of firecracker shops in every corner of every city. With Diwali two weeks away and Dusshera having just gone by, crackers for the season have already been manufactured and are out there in most these shops, and be assured that these aren’t safe and green ones. So, does PESO and the police have enough personnel to go to each of these shops and check that they aren’t flouting norms? Leave alone checking the use of these crackers. The order says that for any violation of sale or use of crackers, the Station House Officer (SHO) of that area will be personally held responsible for contempt of court. Then has the police force across the country been made aware of what they have to look for while checking for safety levels of the crackers available in the market?

Question 3: Are these “green” crackers really going to be safe?

The definition of a green cracker that the order gives is one that avoids usage of ash to reduce particulate matter by 15-20%, has low emissions such that pollutants are reduced by 30-35%, lead to significant reduction in NOx and SO2 and don’t have any of the banned chemicals like lead, mercury, lithium, arsenic and antimony.

Question 4: Are there any crackers which comply to these norms? Or all this is for future manufacturing of crackers? If they’re talking about the latter, how much time will inventing a green cracker take?

Speaking to FIT , Environmentalist Darryl D’Monte says:

Question 5: The SC has directed governments to figure out areas for “community firecracking”, inform the public about these places where they can burn crackers, and take up extensive public awareness campaigns to spread the message of the order. What is the feasibility of this move, especially in just a fortnight?

The logistical difficulties, of implementing such a comprehensive process in such a short period, are immense. For example, how will the awareness campaigns succeed in telling consumers across the country which firecrackers they are allowed to burst, or how they can identify "green" crackers, when the system of marking such crackers has not even begun yet? And if the order can’t be strictly enforced for this coming Diwali, then why did the court lift the complete ban on firecrackers? Why couldn’t the "green" cracker system be put in place first and then such specifications be directed?

SC Verdict on Cracker Ban: Why Restrictions May Not Mean Green Diwali This Year

The Supreme Court on 23 October lifted the complete ban on the sale of firecrackers. In doing so, SC has directed that only the sale and use of “safe and green” firecrackers is permitted. That means only crackers with reduced emission can be manufactured, sold and used legally.

Effectively, this verdict means that there’s a complete ban on manufacture and sale of all fireworks which are high emission, across the country. Therefore, all existing firecrackers like sparklers (fuljadi), chakri, rockets and other common crackers stand banned.

And there’s also a time limit. You can burst these “green” crackers only between 8-10pm on the day of Diwali and it applies to the entire country. In Delhi NCR, it is also mandated that firecrackers be burst only in specified community areas and not in front of every house.

While many are welcoming this environment-friendly move by the top court, it throws up more questions than answers.

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Topics: Supreme Court Firecracker Firecracker Ban

Published: 24 Oct 2018, 11:48 AM IST

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Why SC Restrictions On Firecrackers May Not Lead to a Green Diwali

While many are welcoming this environment-friendly move by the top court, it throws up more questions than answers.

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from fit

Topics: Supreme Court Firecracker Firecracker Ban