The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board(KSPCB) has issued a circular with regard to the use of crackers during the Deepavali festival. Remember, only approved green crackers are allowed with Limited timings: 8 PM – 10 PM. PM from 05/11/2023 to 20/11/2023.
The Deepavali festival will be celebrated in the state from 05/11/2023 to 20/11/2023 and we all are aware of the fact that, the Noise and Air Pollution caused by the bursting of different types of firecrackers during that time will have a severe impact on public health.
Earlier in Writ Petition No:728/1998, dated 18/07/2005 the Hon’ble Supreme Court has given clear guidelines regarding the use of firecrackers and has been drawing the attention of the public every year by the Board to strictly follow the directions.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court in Writ Petition (C) No.728/2015 dated 23/10/2018 and dated 31/10/2018 has issued several directions thereafter. In the said order, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has allowed the bursting of firecrackers only between 8.00 PM to 10.00 PM a day during the festival period.
Bursting of firecrackers has been completely banned during the rest of the period.
Further, the sale and use of any other firecrackers except the green firecrackers is also prohibited.
Green Crackers Allowed
According to order 14 days (i.e 07 days before and 07 days after the Deepavali festival) from 05/11/2023 to 20/11/2023 in all the districts of the state, measurement of Ambient Air Quality and measurement of noise pollution will be conducted as per the directions issued hereafter. Further, in order to control and regulate the Noise and Air pollution caused by firecrackers during the Deepavali festival of 2023 and as per the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the following measures have to be initiated.
1) The District Collectors, Superintendents of Police and Heads of Local Bodies the orders of the Supreme Court have to be brought to the notice of all subordinate officers within their jurisdiction and directing them to take appropriate measures in order to comply with the same.
2) District Collectors of respective districts shall form task forces comprising of District Fire Brigade Officer, Local Health Officers, Tahsildars, District Environment Officers, Police Officers, interested citizens and representatives of local non-governmental organizations.
3) All the warehouses of firecrackers within their jurisdiction shall be inspected and if stocking/hoarding of any prohibited firecrackers are found apart from green firecrackers, the entire warehouse shall be confiscated henceforth and the persons concerned to be criminally prosecuted.
4) All green firecrackers and their packets will have the green firecracker symbol along with the QR code, verification of the said symbol from the concerned district environment officers. Any firecracker without such mark cannot be considered green firecracker and shall be confiscated.
5) Any packets of green crackers shall be collected at random, their noise level shall be measured through prescribed procedures and if they does not meet the prescribed standards, they also to be confiscated forthwith.
6) During Deepavali celebrations, only green firecrackers shall be used and they shall be used without harming or disturbing any animals, birds, children and the elderly persons.
7) AAQM and Noise Monitoring has to be done as per the order of the Honourable Supreme Court. Please Contact Sri.Raghavendra, DSO, 9880046189, for Analysis of Samples, Quality Measurements and Noise Monitoring subject.
8) Conduct effective awareness programs in collaboration with the district administration and associations to create awareness among the public and children about the directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
9) Firecrackers of any kind shall not be used in the vicinity of any local hospital and educational institutions and in any other prohibited area, the same shall be strictly followed by all local bodies and police departments.
10) It is suggested to create awareness among the public about Eco-friendly festival of Deepavali by distributing pamphlets/posters in public places like metro station, railway station, bus station, malls, through video and audio.
11) To create awareness among the public about Eco-friendly Deepavali festival through local TV and radio.
12) Instructing concerned local bodies to take appropriate measures for scientific disposal of solid waste generated during Deepavali.
13) In case of unauthorized transportation of any kind of prohibited firecrackers and related items from outside states, the same has to be confiscated by the Commercial Tax Department through their respective check post located at state borders, the vehicle carrying such prohibited material shall also to be confiscated by the Transport Department. If necessary, the cooperation of the concerned departments can be availed.
In a meeting held on 16.10.2023 in the Board under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister of Forest, Ecology and Environment, Sri. Ishwar B. Khandre, the Hon’ble Minister called for celebration of Deepavali-2023 in an eco-friendly manner and with strict directions to use only green fire crackers. Any one engaged in the manufacture, stocking and sale of crackers other than green firecrackers, strict action to be initiated under the Environment Act, 1986 Protection.
Published ☮✅
Enforced? 🤔