Minister Eshwar Khandre is pushing green crackers

National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court ban chemical crackers that make noise above 125 decibels and emit a lot of smoke | Photo Credit: file photo

Directing officials to enforce rules and strictly promote green crackers, Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Saturday asked them to promise shopkeepers to keep and sell only green crackers.

Speaking to the media here, the Minister said that during the Ganesha festival this year – in a meeting held with the Chief Secretary and all the Deputy Commissioners of the State – it was decided that while giving permission, the officials should take responsibility from the owners that only the stock, transport and sale of green crackers. “The district administration should strictly implement this and permission should not be given to violators from next year,” said the Minister.

Pointing out that the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court, in several of their judgments, have banned chemical crackers that make more than 125 decibels and emit a lot of smoke, the Minister said that permission should be given to light green crackers only from 8 pm onwards. 10pm and the public must follow this strictly.

He also urged organizations, teachers, lecturers, environmentalists and elected officials to raise awareness among people, especially children, about the negative effects of fireworks and ask them to stop using fireworks or use only green fireworks.

“Chemical crackers and heavy metals, which emit loud noise and thick smoke, also cause breathing problems. Animals and birds are also disturbed by powerful fireworks. So let’s ditch the crackers and celebrate the festival of lights in an eco-friendly way,” added the Minister.