Why 8 villages in Erode have been observing a cracker free Diwali for the last 17 years

People in eight villages surrounding a bird sanctuary in the district are not bursting crackers during Diwali for the last 17 years as they fear that its loud sound might scare away the migratory birds.
About 750 families live in the surrounding eight villages of Vellode bird sanctuary, established in 1996 in 80 hectares of land.

They decided not to burst crackers for Diwali 17 years ago as they feared its loud sound may scare away thousands of birds arriving at the sanctuary during the September-December season.
Birds from faraway places mainly from Australia and New Zealand will arrive at the sanctuary during the season, build their nests, lay eggs and leave with the young ones after two to three months.

Chinnasamy Gounder, a 73 year-old villager, said they used to burst crackers years back. However, few years after the sanctuary was established, the villagers decided to stop bursting the crackers.
Villagers near the sanctuary were very much concerned about the sanctuary and the birds coming there, he said.
"Till two years back, even sparklers were not used in the village. But now some children are using them. However, crackers were still not used," he said.