Diwali, also called as the festival of lights, is one of the most important and loved festival celebrated in India. Bringing tremendous excitement and celebration spirit, Diwali also comes with a concern needed to be addressed immediately - the increasing use of firecrackers.
Nowadays, Diwali celebrations are considered incomplete without firecrackers. The firecrackers light up the entire sky for a few moments, giving us a feeling of joy but in turn are terribly affecting the environment and our health, in ways we often overlook.
How crackers affect the environment Firecrackers are harming us in multiple ways. Like previous years, this year also there were many accidents due to firecrackers - major ones including people burning themselves while lighting them. Packed with chemicals like Sulphur, Zinc, Copper and Sodium, firecrackers increase the concentration of dust and pollutants in the air. These chemicals settle down in the exposed areas, and the dust and pollutants destruct the environment - putting our health at risk.
· Causing Air Pollution –The crackers contain many toxic chemicals which after burning, get activated and are suspended in the environment in the form of harmful gases, causing air pollution. For example, One such chemical- Nitrous oxide remains in the air for a long time if the area doesn’t get heavy rain or strong winds, leading to various health problems.
· Global Warming – Bursting crackers increases heat, carbon dioxide and many toxic gases in the atmosphere, which causes a rise in the temperature of the earth- leading to global warming.
· Noise Pollution – The loud sound produced by crackers can also affect humans directly. It can cause hearing loss, particularly in children and the elderly. The sudden loud sounds can also trigger heart problems in vulnerable individuals.
· Garbage – The residual of crackers after bursting turns into garbage which usually is not taken care of, affecting the environment.
· Fire Accidents – In the cracker market, a small spark can cause huge damage to the market, nearby residents and the people present in there. Also, if not handled properly, it may cause severe injuries like burns and respiratory problems.
· Increased risk of road accidents – The tremendous amount of smoke produced after burning a lot of crackers often ends up reducing the visibility on the roads, increasing the risk of road accidents.
· For Animals –The noise of firecrackers scares the animals and makes them unstable which leads to shivering, drooling, howling, psychosis or excessive barking.
Possible health risks that occur due to firecrackers
Of the numerous health risks that are caused by firecrackers, some are listed below:
· Patients suffering from infections and allergies can face severe issues, as it may cause congestion of the throat and chest.
· Due to the smoke of firecrackers, the suspended particles in the air increase and everyone exposed to that air is prone to suffer from ear, eye, nose and throat-related problems.
· Air and Noise pollution caused by firecrackers can increase the impact of pre-existing problems and disorders of patients related to the heart, respiratory and nervous systems.
· Radioactive and poisonous elements are used to spread the color in the sky when crackers burst, which can increase the risk of cancer.
· The increased level of chemical compounds in the air can limit the growth of children and increase the toxic level of the body.
Eco-friendly Diwali celebrated by our Shaktis
Celebrating a green Diwali is very important in this modern era because we are standing on the verge of the collapse of nature. With deforestation, overpopulation, and exploitation of our mineral resources, the temperature of the Earth is rapidly increasing, which can make many places on Earth unlivable. Considering the environment and health hazards, Shaktis adopted an Eco-friendly Diwali celebration .
Our girls made rangoli from beautiful natural flowers and decorated the ambience with flowers. Shaktis also used natural colors made from turmeric, coffee powder, flower petals, and rice flour instead of chemical colors for rangoli decoration. They refrained from bursting harmful toxic firecrackers, thus not contributing towards air pollution and noise pollution. Also, instead of using plastic/ artificial diyas, they used clay diyas - making the celebration filled with joy and warmth.
The rising pollution demands the need to celebrate Green Diwali. The festive spirit of Diwali can be enjoyed by adopting these eco-friendly practices - reducing the harmful impact on the environment and making it more environment friendly.
Let’s light up the world with joy, not with smoke!
Written by: Neha R Kumar
Proofread and edited by: Indu Sharma
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